Seven Negrense athletes involved in team sports became the latest batch of Southeast Asian Games gold medalists yesterday as the men's basketball and women's softball team spearheaded the Philippines' six-gold harvest in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

But their feats were nearly overshadowed by the walkout staged by six Filipino boxers, who were dismayed by pro-Thailand decisions at the Tumbon Mueangpug Stadium (see related story page 1).

Jeffrei Chan, the Bacolod City-born basketball standout who honed his skills at the University of St. La Salle, did his share in another might show for the Philippines, which crushed Thailand, 94-53, to wrap up the gold medal.

Chan had waived plans to enter the PBA draft a few months ago.

Instead, he joined the RP five, which extended a title streak that dated back to the 1991 SEA Games in Manila . Basketball was not included in the 2005 SEA Games since the Philippines was suspended by the international basketball federation.

A World Series winner with Paglaum Village National High School four years ago, Nelsa Delagente added the SEA Games medal to her collection as she helped the RP Blu Girls to a golden sweep in softball.

Former Domingo Lacson National High School standouts Yocel Aguilar, Mary Joy Lasquite, Sheirylou Valenzuela, Sarah Jane Agravante and Cloiene Muyco were also part of the team.

Team sports account for only a single medal in the SEA Games standings, although each member of the squad are awarded individual medals.

The other Negrense gold medalist for the day was judoka John Baylon, of Binalbagan, who won his eighth crown in the 81 kg. division.

Bacolod golfer Anya Tanpinco, who was a regular at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Marapara, before training with the national pool, grabbed her third SEA Games medal, after finishing second in the individual event and leading the RP Team to runner-up honors in the team competition.

Tanpinco also won a silver in the team competition two years ago.

Boxers Godfrey Castro of Cadiz City, Bago's Junel Cantancio, Junie Tizon, Larry Semillano and Joegin Ladon and Orlando Tacuyan Jr., whose father is from Bacolod City, settled for silver medals in bizarre fashion.

Except for Semillano, who lost to a Thai Olympic champion, the other Negrense fighters walked out from their matches because of perceived pro-Thai scoring.

Also striking gold for the Philippines yesterday were Baby Marites Bitbit, who ruled the women's road race, taekwondo jin Tshomlee Go (under-67kg).

The six golds for the day as of press time were enough, to raise RP's total wins to 39, behind Indonesia with 41. Singapore slipped to fifth from third, but still just one gold behind Team RP.

Bacolod taekwondo jin Carlos Padilla V makes his SEA Games debut today when he competes in the men's flyweight tournament. *CPT

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