Haiyang, China: Frustrated twice in one day by Asian Games champion Indonesia, the Philippine dragon boat team snared a silver medal in the heart-stopping 10-man crew, 500-meter race of the Asian Beach Games.

On the rebound after coming up dry in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in their home turf, the Indonesians drove the dragon head a mere half second ahead of the Filipinos in the four-nation finale clocking an impressive 1:52.477 against RP’s 1:52.927. Thailand upstaged host China (1:55.667) for third with a 1:54.088.

Indonesia also staved off the Filipinos in the morning eliminations of group A with a 1:53 against the latter’s 1:55 thus rushing to claim a finals seat along with Thailand which outlasted China in the other group of a total eight bidders.

Forced to a repechage against Vietnam and Hong Kong, the Filipinos handily ruled the extra round in 1:57 while China turned back the challenge of Japan and Macau to complete the final cast.

Though able to cut a handsome four seconds and take the lead with just about 20 meters left in the final run, the Filipinos lost steam in the last 10 meters to yield the gold which also eluded their bronze-medallist predecessors in the first Asian Beach Games six years ago.

Also responding to the call of duty were sport climbing aces Milky Mae Tejares, Jonathan Feleo, Jason Sauco and Dennis Oliver Diaz, who all advanced to the semi-final round of the women and men bouldering event.

The women’s 3-on-3 basketball squad split its two games Sunday, toying with Nepal, 20-1 in the morning but bowed to tall India, 14-9 after leading most of the match.

While the outcome kept the Filipinas in the thick of things they must hurdle Thailand on Monday morning at 9 a.m. to preserve their chances for a medal.