Filipino duo Dheo Talatayod and Mikoff Maduriao completed a come-from-behind, 2-1 win against Thailand to snare the national team’s third gold in the soft tennis competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court.
The Filipino duo had to recover from losing a 2-0 lead to Thailand’s Sujaritplee Teerapat and Songweera Torlap and swept the last three games to take the win and the gold in the deciding doubles match.
Thailand took the board first after winning the first doubles rubber at 5-3 with Thansiriroj Sakan and Surarak Thanarit.
Filipinos Noel Damian, Jr. and Mark Alcoseba kept the match close, but in the end, the more experienced Thais prevailed for the 1-0 lead.
The country’s top singles player and team captain Joseph Arcilla then overpowered and stunned world number three Yannarit Kawin at 4-1 to equalize the tie.
The Philippines pocketed all three golds of the soft tennis tournament. The women’s individual gold went to Bien Zoleta-Manalac, while Manalac and sister Bambi Zoleta pocketed the mint in women’s doubles.
Indonesian also carved a sweep in the 2011 Games.
