Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) – The tandem of Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales has dethroned reigning tennis men’s doubles champions Francis Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon, 6-1, 6-4, in the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Saturday at the Hanaka Sports and Service Center in Vietnam.
The win by Huey and Gonzales avenged their defeat to Alcantara and Patrombon in the 2019 finals as the Philippines achieved another gold-silver podium finish in the said event for the second straight edition.
The Huey-Gonzales tandem dominated the Alcantara-Patrombon pair in the first set with their powerful serves and return points.
In the second set, they were already on the verge of winning the gold with a 5-3 lead, but Alcantara and Patrombon took the ninth game with a victory.
Huey, with his vast experience in playing in all of four Grand Slam doubles tournaments, displayed his veteran form in the 10th game by scoring crucial points to clinch the gold for him and Gonzales.
“It was great to have the PH team in the finals for the sure gold, just like three years ago. Ruben and I came out strong and with a lot of energy and from the first point on and we’re happy to get the win,” said Huey.
Huey and Gonzales are the lone gold medalists for the Philippine tennis team in this year’s SEA Games as other Filipino netters settled for a silver and four bronze medals to close their campaign.
Gonzales added, “it’s always great to win the tournament, but especially with a great friend like Treat to do it together for my first gold, this is my fourth finals, and to finally get it done, it feels really good.”
