Angel Mae Otom during the day of her competition in the Women's 50m backstroke S5 event of the 17th Paralympic Games at the Paris La Defense Arena. Handout/Philippine Paralympic Committee

Filipina para swimmer Angel Mae Otom is through to the finals of the women's 50-meter butterfly S5 in the 17th Paralympic Games in Paris after placing third in her qualifying heat.

Otom reached the wall in 46.85 seconds and made it to the late afternoon (12 midnight in Manila) medal race fifth overall.

Lu Dong, the gold medalist in their 50m backstroke encounter the other day, topped the heats in 40.50 followed by silver medalist He Shenggao (43.11) and Sevilay Ozturk of Turkey (44.70).

"Pinag-aralan ko mabuti ang dapat gawin sa swim na ito. Lalo ko pang pagbubutihin sa final," said the 21-year-old Otom, the reigning Asean Para Games champion in the same event.

Philippine sports officials witnessed Otom's qualification race led by Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann, commissioner Fritz Gaston, executive director Paolo Tatad as well as Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo, PPC secretary general Goody Custodio and chef de mission Ral Rosario.

"Angel had a better swim compared to her previous event. Talagang tinutukan sya ni coach Tony (Ong) for this swim," said para swimming deputy coach Bryan Ong.

A first-time Paralympian, Otom had placed sixth in the women's 50m backstroke-S5 on Wednesday morning.

READ: Otom finishes 6th in 50m backstroke as China sweeps podium

READ: Para swimmer Otom eyes finals in 50m butterfly in Paris

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