PH tanker Deiparine falls short

KUALA LUMPUR: James Deiparine came tantalizingly close in giving the country its first swimming gold medal in the 29th Southeast Asian Games late Friday, losing a close battle in the men’s 100-meter backstroke finals at the National Aquatic Center pool here.

Under the radar after qualifying eight and last in the heats earlier in the day, Deiparine stormed out of lane 8 and took the lead, much to the surprise of the rest of the field, inspired likely no end by the presence of parents, who watched their son perform from the stands.