Sports: Sermona, Palacios Win in 2012 POC-PNG

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental - Julius Sermona of Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental bolted his way in the last two laps to win the men’s 10,000 meters over a Kenyan runner who represent Negros Oriental in athletics event, even as Negros Occidental bet Melchor Palacios of Bago City won his match at the start of boxing event in Manila in the ongoing 2012 POC-PSC Philippine National Games.

Sermona, 29, the 2006 Milo Marathon champion, represented Philippine Air Force-Hyper Sports clocked 31:09. 29 seconds to win the gold medal over 26-year-old Kenyan Josphat Kiptanui Too who clocked 31:14.1 seconds for silver. Too is enrolled at Negros Oriental State University taking up nursing. Former RP and SEA Games record holder Eduardo Buenavista placed third at 32:03.7 seconds at the Perdices Sports Complex here.

Sermona admitted he was challenged by the Kenyan runner and said he might as well get embarrassed so he decided to give his all in the last two laps.

Too, who just won the 23KM Argao Trail Run in Cebu, said he was happy to beat a national team member (referring to Buenavista) who also claims he just did his usual run and did not do his best in running. He added he is very much willing to represent the Philippines if given the chance to do it in international competitions. Negros Oriental head coach Liberato Noay, Jr., also disclosed that they lack budget and could only provide one shirt uniform for their athlete due to two calamities that hit them recently. Their willingness to compete was high upon learning there are national athletes they will face.

Over in Manila, Palacios, one of the six male boxers sent by the province of Negros Occidental, opened up its campaign with a bright note to defeat Mandaluyong City Ramil Baguioro on points in 56 kilograms. Only 14 bouts were scheduled yesterday at ABAP Gym located at the Rizal Memorial Complex, while 32 bouts are scheduled today starting at 2PM.

In other athletics events, Hanna Erika Sian of Baguio City dominated the women’s discus throw with a heave of 32.37 meters beating teammate Jhansel Udaundo (28.80 meters) for silver, while Jade Marie Recto of Cebu settled for bronze in 26.42 meters. Palarong Pambansa record holder Maika De Oro of Negros Occidental failed to compete in the event.

RP member Rizel Buenaventura won the women’s pole vault leaping the height of 3.75 meters. In the girl’s category, Emily Jean Obiena won the gold medal in 2.40 meters.

Eliazar Sumang dominated the men’s shot put in 15.58 meters; Nixon Mas, former Palarong Pambansa campaigner settled for silver in 12.91 meters, while Francis Berizo took the bronze in 12.47 meters. RP team members Arnel Amadeo and Buensuceco Sayson representing Negros Oriental defeated John Pante and Romnick Rico of university of Sto. Tomas -1, 21-15, 21-16 in men’s beach volleyball. UST-3 with National team members Arvin Avila and Parley Tupaz won over Kerwin Paje and Rollen Inaudito of University of St. La Salle, 21-16, 21-12; UST-2 of Jayson Ramos and Henry Pecana also defeated Glen Vertolero and Mark Merwa, 21-15, 21-17.

In the women’s division, the duo of Sarah Jane Tanilon and Catherine Mortola of Foundation University-A won over Rosdyn Bumagat at Claire Tinio of Foundation University-B, 21-14, 21-6.

In chess, GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., Darwin Laylo, Eugenio Torre at Richard Bitoon and International Masters Rolando Nolte at Jan Emmanuel Garcia and FIDE Master Paulo Bersamina won their respective initial matches respectively. Antonio drubbed Jared Ben Allosa of Dumaguete on board 1, while Torre, Asia’s first GM and also playing for QC, crushed Dumaguete’s Jonathan Lubrido; Bitoon of Cebu ripped Wilfred Vergel Neri of Aklan, and Laylo downed Regie Reginaldo of Tanjay.

Sulu earned its first gold through Ishmael Abdulnasseef who ruled the men’s tunggal putra event in pencak silat over at the City High Gym Adzar Abdulrasad of Cebu City and Ishmael Abdulgani of Zamboanga wound up second and third, respectively.*