SEAG: Delos Santos takes slight lead over Ubas in men's decathlon

The Philippines' Hokett Delos Santos in action in men's decathlon in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 12, 2025 at the Supachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. POC Media

The Philippines' Hokett Delos Santos and Janry Ubas are in a tight showdown for the men's decathlon crown in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, Friday at the Supachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Delos Santos, the 23-year-old rising star from University of Santos Tomas, amassed 5,697 points to seize the lead in the multi-event decathlon competition.

Ubas, who is hoping to improve his silver-medal finish in the 2023 edition in Cambodia, is running a close second with 5,685 points after the three morning events.

The two Filipino champions, however, are still in a tight battle against defending champion Suttisak Singkhon of Thailand and Richsan Idan Fauzan of Indonesia.

Singkhon, who edged Ubas and another Filipino, Aries Toledo, for the decathlon gold medal in the 2023 edition in Cambodia, is a close third with 5,669 points

Fauzan had 5,536 points.

The Philippines' Janry Ubas in action in men's decathlon in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 12, 2025 at the Supachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. POC Media

"It's a close fight among the four. So let's see. kung sa javelin makabato ng close to 50. I think ok naman, 'yan ang target. 'Yung isa 1,500 tignan natin hahabulin," said coach Emerson Obiena

"Pero meron din mga disappointments na nangyari doon sa mga kalaban. 'Yung 300 points, tingin ko, naidikit na namin konti na lang. So, du’n sa last two events tignan natin," added Obiena.

In the 2023 Cambodia games, Singkhon dominated the decathlon competition with 7,486 points against Ubas' 6,923 points and Toledo's 6,891 points.