Filipina para swimmer Angel Mae Otom during the Heat 1 of Women's 50m Backstroke S5 of the 17th Paralympic Games in Paris. Handout/PSC-PPC

Filipina para swimmer Angel Mae Otom on Tuesday qualified to the final of the women's 50-meter backstroke S5 in the 17th Paralympic Games in Paris, France.

Making her Paralympics debut, Otom clocked 44.03 seconds in Heat 1 to secure a spot in the medal race.

She swims again early Wednesday morning, Manila time.

"Sobrang ganda ng experience ko at nakaka-proud talaga. Kinakabahan din ako as an athlete pero overall masaya," said Otom, a quadruple gold medalist in the Asean Para Games.

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World record-holder Lu Dong topped the qualifying heats in 39.48 seconds followed by fellow Chinese He Shenggao (41.31) and Liu Yu (42.59).

"She'll definitely go all out in the final. It's six hours from now, so for now magpapahinga muna si Angel as we mentally prepare her for the next race," said national para swimming assistant coach Bryan Ong.

He and Liu led Otom's heat while Sumeyye Boyaci of Turkey likewise advanced.

The armless Otom is considered a top medal prospect among the Filipino para athletes in these Games with the team backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.