MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATED) Filipino rowers, led by Tokyo Olympian Cris Nievarez, gave a good account of themselves in the 2022 Asian Rowing Virtual Championship this past weekend.

The event, organized by Hong Kong China Rowing Association, saw competitors taking part from their own location. A total of 19 Filipinos -- 12 men and seven women -- competed in the virtual races.

Nievarez, the lone Filipino rower to qualify for the Tokyo Games last year, won silver in the Under-23 men's 2000m with a time of six minutes and 25.90 seconds. Hong Kong's Ho Yin Wong won the event.

Kristine Paraon, 19, won two silvers in the U23 women's 2000m and 500m, while Joachim de Jesus also came second in the U23 lightweight men's 500m. Meanwhile, Zuriel Sumintac grabbed silver in the lightweight men's 500m, and Alyssa Go also took second place in the U23 lightweight women's 500m.

Team Philippines also got two bronzes, courtesy of Christian Joseph Jasmin in the U23 lightweight men's 2000m, and Kharl Julianne Sha in the U23 lightweight women's 500m.

"Huge thanks to the Asian Rowing Federation and to the Hong Kong China Rowing Association for the awesome job of organizing and hosting this massive virtual event and for making it happen amid this COVID-19 pandemic," the Philippine Rowing Association said.

"We are very satisfied with the performance of our rowers that despite the COVID-19 pandemic that limits face-to-face and actual training on the water, they stayed in competitive form," PRA president Patrick "Pato" Gregorio also said.

"We are looking forward to the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi and the Asian Games in Hangzhou later this year, and this is a good start for the team as they gear up for these major international competitions," he added.

The Filipino rowers competed from their quarters at the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City, with help from the federation staff.

The event serves as a qualifier for the 2022 World Rowing Indoor Championships, which will be held virtually on February 25 and 26.

The other members of the team were Karl Julliane Sha, Joanie Delgaco, Amelyn Pagulayan, Athens Greece Tolentino, Van Maxilom, Edgar Ilas and Ateneo's Emmanuel Joseph Obaña, as well as coach Con Fornea. Tolentino is the son of Olympian Benjamin Tolentino.

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