GOLD! Filipino tandem Jaerome Calica and Joemar Gallaza won it for the Philippines in the SEA Games wai kru and mai muay competition with a final score of 9.59! | via @dggasgo pic.twitter.com/K3qNXnNsea

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) December 4, 2019

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT (UPDATE)—The Philippines won a gold medal on the first day of Southeast Asian Games muay Thai at Subic Bay International Convention Center here Wednesday.

Jaerome Calica and Joemar Gallaza showed both poise and aggression en route to winning the waikru and mai muay event

The Filipinos garnered a score of 9.95 to beat their counterparts from Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

It was a second gold medal for Calica, who first won one in the 2001 SEA Games as a wushu fighter.

“Hindi ko ine-expect na makakabalik as a Philippine athlete sa age kong ito, pero alam ko namang kaya kong sumabay,” said the 37-year-old Cordilleran.

Gallaza said he was thrilled to get his first gold in the Games.

“First time kong mag-compete dito, tapos beterano ang nakasama ko kaya inangat ko ang sarili ko para maging level kami,” he said.

Hatem Rumjam and Muhamad Ismal of Malaysia came in at second place with 9.21 points followed by Indonesia's Muhamad Sudriman and Lorenz Walun with 8.84.

In women’s waikru, Iredin Lipatan and Rusha Mae Bayacsan of the Philippines won silver behind Thailand’s Thanawan Thongduan and Ruchira Wongshriwo.

It was a close fight for the Pinays, who appeared to show up with the cleaner and more engaging routine, despite the loss.

“Nanghinayang kami pero tinanggap na rin namin,” said Lipatan.

Vietnam’s Hyun Ha Huu Hieu and Tran Thi Lua and Indonesia’s Ayuni Anggi and Angelina Runtukahu settled for bronze.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.