PGMA presence inspires karateka to victory
By Randy Calluag

MANDAUE CITY --Police captain Nelson Pacalso scored a come-from-behind 5-4 overtime win over Vietnam’s NV Toan to pocket the gold in the men’s individual +65kg kumite of karate with no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in attendance.

Security was tight around the venue as President Arroyo, accompanied by Cebuano government officials, arrived at the venue amidst the thunderous applause of the huge Cebuano crowd.

At that point, Pacalso was staring at a 1-4 deficit with only 30 seconds left in regulation play.

Fired up by the prospect of letting the President down, acalso charged like there’s no tomorrow and racked up three straight points to end the regulation at 4-4, forcing a one-minute extension.“Ginamit ko na lahat ng diskarte ko para makahabol dahil ayaw ko talagang mapahiya ang ating Pangulo,” he said.

A straight punch to the body of Toan completed Pacalso’s comeback win and the gold medal awarded to him by no less than the President.

" Ang hirap ng sitwasyon ko dahil nanonood si Presidente. Pero malaking bagay iyung presence niya dahil talagang gagawin mo ang lahat para lang manalo, added the Baguio City native.

Joining Arroyo’s entourage were tourism secretary Joseph Ace Durano, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebuano cabinet member Cerge Remonde, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano.

After handing the medal to Pacalso and waving at the wildly cheering crowd, Arroyo immediately left for Danao City, some 20_ kms north of Cebu City, to cheer the Filpino riders competing in the cross-country competition of the mountain bike event.

Lacing Pacalso’s golden efforts were the bronze medals courtesy of Mae Eso and Ireneo Toribio.

Eso, who lost a close 4-5 overtime decision to Vietnam’s Vietnam's Vuthi Nguyet Anh in the semifinals, beat Chanmsouda Phetsiriseng of Laos, 8-1, to settle for the bronze in the women’s -48kg individual kumite.

Ireneo Toribio also dropped his first match in the men’s -60kg individual kumite, losing to Vietnam’s Vo Manh Tuan before beating Thailand's Dunyarat Rattanaphun, 4-5, in the battle for the bronze.

Not so fortunate was Bernard Chu who failed to grab a medal in the -55kg
match. He beat Timor Leste’s Jerry Magno, 9-0, but was eliminated by
Vietnam’s Pham Tran Nguyen.

SEA GAMES PHILIPPINES [http://www.2005seagames.com.ph/]