Benjamin Tolentino Jr. of the Philippines paddled his way on Sunday to the Philippines’ second gold medal in rowing at the 24th Southeast Asian Games being held in Thailand, according to a statement from the Philippine delegation.

The 34-year-old Tolentino topped the lightweight individual sculls, following the simple strategy outlined to him by his Lithuania coach Rolandas Kalauskashas before the finals started at the Mab Prachan Reservoir in Pattaya, Thailand.

The strategy was simple: Relax, do what you have to do, and never panic even if your rivals overtake you.

In fact, Tolentino did not start fast, even letting most of his rivals to dictate the pace in the first 500 meters. But by the 750-meter mark he made his move, and one by one, he was able to overtake his opponents.

By the time he reached the last 200-meter mark, he was within sight of slipping away from the last stumbling block on his way to victory – Thailand ’s Pantangthai Piyadanai.

“Simple lang ang susi sa panalo ko today,” Tolentino said. “Una, parang nilaro-laro ko lang, kasi sabi ni coach ay huwag masyadong seryoso. Baka ma-rattle lang. Kaya, ayun, ‘yung mga nauna sa akin mga nagsitukod. Ako naman kumana ako ng kumana nang makakita ako ng tyansa.”

[Translation: "I had a simple key to victory today. First, I was like playing because my coach told me not to be too serious or I might get rattled. That's why I was able to overtake those who were ahead of me. I made my move when I saw the chance."]

“Pinabayaan ko lang sila na mauna sa akin,” he added. “Hindi ako nag-panic, pero pumipitik ako paminsan minsan para hindi gaano sila makalayo. Nu’ng maunahan ko ‘yung Vietnamese (Nguyen The Phong), sabi ko iisa-isahin ko ito, at habang sumasagwan, nakita ko na lamang, na malapit na ako sa Thailand, kaya binigay ko na lahat.”

[Translation: "I just let them get ahead of me. I didn't panic. But I would make little burst from time to time so that they won't get too far ahead. When I overtook the Vietnamese, I told myself I would overtake them one by one. While addling, I saw that I was the only one near Thailand bet, so I gave it everything I've got."]

Tokentino clocked in at 7:12.02 over the two-kilometer stretch.

Thailand ’s Piyadanai Pantangthai checked in a little over seven seconds behind Tolentino at 7:19.71 good for silver, while Indonesia ’s Jamaluddin Jamaluddin came in third in 7:24.18.

A day before Tolentino’s individual victory, he teamed up with Jose Rodriguez to win the men’s double sculls event. Tolentino, who also won in this event in the 2005 SEA Games held in the Philippines.

Other rowing medalists

RP’s other bets – Jose Rodriguez in men’s single skull event, and Nida Cordova and Midelle Gabiligno in women’s double sculls – also finished within medal frame.

Navyman Rodriguez emerged as the third best in men’s single sculls won by Thailand ’s Theppibal Ruthtanaphol (7:18.13). Rodriguez’s time was 7:21.65. Silver went to Myanmar ’s Ko Min (7:20.67).

Cordova and Gabiligno simply failed to muster enough strength in their bid to surpass the Thai duo in Nikree Phuttharaksa and Pheangkatok Bussayamas.

They settled for silver in 7:21.92. The Thai duo, gold medalists in the last Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, was timed at 7:10.70.

“Ganun din po yung strategy namin: ‘Wag mag-pa-panic, pero talagang malakas ‘yung taga Thailand. Hindi po namin inabutan. Sobra lakas po,” the 23-year old Cordova said.

The Filipino rowers were scheduled to go home on a Sunday evening flight.