Keen Hoo-Kok Leong defeated the host nation’s world champions Alvin Barbero-Jefrey Roda 3-1 in the men’s doubles final at Manila Hotel Tent today.

The pair started off brilliantly with wins of 97-12, 72-4 in the first two games.

However, they lost a bit of momentum in the third with a 70-8 defeat before bouncing back with a stylish 71-16 victory to deliver the first gold in the sport.

“It’s a great feeling to have played at many SEA Games. I missed out on gold a few times but this year I got it,” Keen Ho told reporters.

“They had just emerged world champions so my strategy was to keep them in check and give my teammate a chance to earn points.”

Keen Hoo won bronze in the same event in Kuala Lumpur two years ago when paired with Thor Chuan Leong.