Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 10) – Despite failing to win a medal, Filipino American diver Ariana Drake showed promise in her Southeast Asian Games debut in Vietnam.
Drake finished in fourth place, a spot away from a bronze medal finish, in the women’s 3-meter springboard event at the My Dinh Water Sports Palace.
The 17-year-old diver earned a score of 229.80 points, trailing only by 0.35 points from the bronze medalist from Singapore.
Malaysia won the gold and silver medals in the event.
Drake first competed in the women’s 1-meter springboard platform last Sunday, where she also wound up in fourth place with 207.15 points.
Malaysia took home the gold and silver, while host country Vietnam captured the bronze. The medals were the first awarded in the 31st edition of the biennial sports event.
Philippine Swimming Inc. president Lani Velasco praised Drake for her valiant effort in her SEA Games debut.
“I am truly impressed with the mental grit that you have shown going up against all those veterans. The future looks really bright for you,” Velasco told CNN Philippines.
Drake is guided by Chinese mentor Cui Xiaofeng, who is also in charge of developing the grassroots diving program in the Philippines.
