Sports: Iloilo, Baguio, CDO Share Gold Medals in Arnis at 2012 PNG
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental - Arnis players from Iloilo that helped Western Visayas secondary division grab the arnis title in the last 2012 Palarong Pambansa held in Lingayen, Pangasinan, continue to spark in the event winning two gold medals, along with Baguio and Cagayan De Oro in the 2012 Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)-Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Philippine National Games at COSCA Gym here.
Twenty years old Elmer Batani gifted Baguio City the gold medal in Solo Baston men’s division to collect a total of 64.5 points. Baguio City is part of Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA). Batani, and education major from University of the Philippines-Baguio join the event for the first time.
Ric Marcelino Bongcaras of Cagayan De Oro (R-10 Northern Mindanao) won the silver medal with 64 points, while Iloilo province Kieser Juanga, a mainstay of WV in 2012 Palaro settled for bronze medal with 63.5 points.
But it was Glory Joy Bartonico of Iloilo province, snatched a gold medal in women’s Solo Baston. She, however, fails short of winning the Doble Baston and settled for silver medal.
Bartonico, an 18-year-old 2nd year BS Math at Western Visayas College of Science and Technology collected 67 points in Solo Baston and Reignerose Esguerra of Pasig City got 66 points, while Baguio City’s Claire Danga-as settled for bronze medal with 65.5 points.
Bartonico won the bronze medal in the same event in 2010 Tarlac City Palaro as part of the WV contingent, although she places 4th in last year’s PNG held in Bacolod City. She is set to compete in the 66-to 73 kilograms full contact.
Another bet from Iloilo province, Warlie Gumban collected 67 points to win the gold medal in the men’s doble baston. Raymart Gutierrez of Baguio City got 65.5 points to settle for silver, while John Franklin Dresser of Cagayan De Oro collected 64.5 points to win the bronze medal. It was a dream-come-true for Gumban for winning the event after he was disqualified last year as he was "under age".
Meanwhile, Niña Allana Gae Tabor won the first gold medal for Cagayan De Oro after in the women’s doble baston after collecting 65.5 points. Claire Danga-as of Baguio City got 65 points to settle for silver, while Bartonico took the bronze medal with 64.5 points.
RP Team and RP Training pool dominated the triathlon event in easy fashions. Female Juniors Pauline Formeza of Davao City clocked 1:18.56 seconds to win the gold medal; Claudine Ibañez of Cagayan De Oro settled for silver in 1:26.13 seconds, and Iloilo province Christine Guillergan clocked 1:44.46 seconds to win the bronze medal.
Batang Pinoy gold medalist at London Olympics scholar Allen Santiago of Manila won the first gold medal in the male junior’s triathlon event in 1:08.15 seconds; Edward Macalalad of Muntinlupa settled for silver in 1:11.50 seconds and Von Academia of Dumaguete City took the bronze in 1:24.03 seconds.
RP top woman triathlete Kim Mangrobang of Laguna won the women’s standard distance in 2:26.43 seconds; Mirasol Abad of Davao settled for silver in 2:36.17 seconds, while Alexandra Ganzon of Iloilo won the bronze with 2:44.36 seconds.
RP top men triathlete Mico Huelgas of Las Piñas City dominated the men’s standard distance clocking 2:03.46 seconds; Jonard Saim of Gen. Santos City settled for silver in 2:17.34 seconds, while John Chicano of Olongapo won the bronze in 2:29.26 seconds.
Fourteen gold medals are at stake today in athletics events, and dance sports competition will also commence at separate venues.
Meanwhile, last Saturday, both Blue Boys and Girls softball teams refused to buckle down and give their hearts out against the less-experience team from other Local Government Units (LGU) teams.
Giving rather an inspiration to the younger counterparts, the Blu Girl’s beat Cebu, 10-0. The Blu Girls, composed of the same squad that bagged the Southeast Asian Games gold medal without losing a single match, practically conducted a clinic on the field inside the famed Silliman University.
By noontime, the Blu Girls picked up another easy win over alleged team from Negros Occidental that chose to concede the match in the first inning. But report disclosed, Negros Occidental failed to send 2012 Palarong Pambansa champion softball team from Domingo Lacson National High School for lack of preparation.
Amateur Softball Association-Philippines executive director Jun Veloso said they decided to make the Blu Girls and the Blue Boys guest teams in the 18-team competitions. Both reigning SEAG champions, the PH clouters are among the national athletes seeing action in the event organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, and sponsored by Smart Communications, Summit Mineral Water, Standard Insurance, TV5, AKTV, 2Go, Cebu Pacific, Accel, Pocari Sweat, Scratch It Instant Tama, SM and Puregold.
Veloso said, they wanted to give equal chances to all LGUs (local government units) who spent money to bring a complete team in the 2012 PNG.
Last year, ASAPHIL scattered the national players among the participating teams but there were teams that didn’t have enough national team imports.
Against Negros Oriental, they struck with five runs right in the opening frame on blazing bats by Esmeralda Tayag and Alex Zuluaga who accounted for three RBIs. Pitcher Joy Lasquete allowed just one hit and struck out two batters, while reliever Veronica Belleza fanned out four of the young but game Cebu side which won silver medal during the recent Palarong Pambansa.
Tacurong City demolished host Negros Oriental, 13-3, in the second match of the opening day.
The Blu Girls, according to Veloso, are training for the Asean Championships in Indonesia in October. The biennial meet will be held in the country in 2014. The Blu Boys, on the other hand, are gearing
for the Asian Championship also in October in Japan, which is a qualifying event for the Worlds slated next year in New Zealand.
Over at the Lamberto Macias sports complex convention center, Denise Santos handily beat 12-year-old Cheska Centeno who was bronze medalist last year in Bacolod. She thus progressed in the double-round elimination among a field that include PH team veteran Mary Ann Basas.
All the top pool players skipped this PNG and gives chances to young ones to excel. Last year, however, top rated players absorbs upset defeats from newcomers.
Other pool players winning their first round are Luis Sobardo of PH team who thrashed Allan Culi Jr., of Dumaguete, 9-0; Edison Heresiller of Zamboanga who ripped Joel Dy of Dumaguete, 9-5; Randy Tabares of Dumaguete who crushed Cris Lee Amposta, 9-6; Francisco Tropezado of Dumaguete who edged teammate Kiefer Dy, 9-4.
In Manila, boxing event will start at 2pm at ABAP Gym with weigh-in, medical examination were conducted yesterday.
Negros Occidental sends six male boxers and a lone female boxer who is already assured of a bronze medal.
National tracksters Marestella Torres and Rene Herrera of Guimaras, both bound for the Olympic Games in London, are here ready to compete in athletics today, while another London-bound athlete, tanker Jhessie King Lacuna is also set to see action in swimming event on Tuesday.*
