Hussein Loraña made sure his first ever Southeast Asian Games would be a memorable one, as he triumphed in the men's 800-meters on Monday evening at the Suphachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Loraña clocked 1:48.80, well ahead of Thailand's Joshua Atkinson who set a personal best with a time of 1:49.24.
The home bet finished just ahead of Malaysia's Wan Muhammad Fazri Wan Zahari (1:49.85).
"Super unexpected po kasi I'm up against Southeast Asia's fastest 800m runner and 400m runner as well. So sobrang hindi ko in-expect na mananalo ako sa event na 'to," said Loraña.
Just last November, Loraña was competing for Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 88 athletics competition, where he set a new meet record in 800-m (1:51.76) en route to winning Rookie of the Year honors.
Janry Ubas added a silver for the athletics team in the long jump, where he recorded 7.64-meters to finish behind Malaysia's Andre Anura (7.71-m). Singapore's George Medina (7.53-m) completed the podium.
Junel Gobotia claimed the bronze in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 8:58.34, after competitors from Vietnam and Indonesia.
Veteran hurdler Eric Cray finished seventh in the men's 400-m hurdles, clocking 54.67-s in what could be his last SEA Games. Another Filipino athlete, Timothy Okolo, clocked 51.17-s for fourth place in the race that was won by Singapore's Calvin Quek (50.27-s).