Golden girls for Regina Catherine Quinanola (left) and Alphecca Gonzales won the gold in team elementary girls.CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPJO)
San Jose, Antique — The initial goal was to finish in the top two. A target the Central Visayas Regional Athetic Association (Cviraa) will fall short — way short it won’t even keep its usual ranking.
The Bisdaks, consistent fourth placers in the Palarong Pambansa, come into today’s final day of competition mired at seventh spot with a harvest of 17 gold medals, 13 silvers and 24 bronzes after adding five gilts yesterday.
But while they still have two final games slated today, even a sweep of the two titles will not be enough to save the region from its poorest showing in the competition.
The elementary boys basketball team was still playing Region 4-A for the gold medal as of last night. The secondary squad failed to advance to the final round after bowing to NCR, 45-72.
Cviraa’s lowest finish in recent memory happened in 2015 when it managed just sixth in Tagum City.
In the bag for NCR
The National Capital Region (NCR) is again the undisputed king of the weeklong games after amassing 91 golds, 56 silvers and 39 bronzes. Region 6 is in second place with 34 golds, 24 silvers and 34 bronzes.
In third was Region 4-A (30-53-47) followed by the Cordillera Admnistrative Region (CAR) in fourth (24-18-20), Region 12 (22-21-31) and Region 11 (20-19-19).
Region 10 trails Region 7 with 16 golds, 18 silvers and 38 bronzes.
“Whatever the outcome of the competition, we will accept it. Our athletes came here prepared, they fought hard but we don’t have control on how the games will turn out,” said Dr. Luz Jandayan chief of Education Support Service Division of the Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd-7).
Limos shines
One of Region 7’s golds yesterday was delivered by Samantha Gem Limos, who topped the secondary girls 200-meter dash in controversial fashion.
A runner from Region 8 actually arrived first at the finish line but was disqualifed for a “shortening distance” violation.
“The Region 8 runner was caught moving from her lane, which was lane 5 to lane 6, which was Sam’s lane. She ran for about 10 meters before going back to her lane which was a clear violation,” said Region 7 athletics coach Arvin Loberanis.
Also winning golds were the tandem of Tricia Opon and Elloise Canillo in secondary girls badminton and Regina Catherin Quinanola and Alphecca Gonzales in elementary girls chess blitz team.
Alphecca also won silver in the blitz individual event, while Glybel Jane Quinanola settled for bronze in the standard individual event.
Apawan’s third
Archer Lloyd Apawan bagged his third gold by ruling the boys Olympic round. Apawan also won the 60m and 70m contests.
The elementary girls softball team beat NIR, 5-4 for the gold.
Cviraa’s secondary and elementary football teams had contrasting fates.
The elementary team marched to the final with a 3-1 beating of ARMMM, while the secondary squad lost to Calabarzon, 4-5 in the semis.
The elementary team will play Region 6 for the gold today while the volleyball elementary squad will fight Region 3 for the crown.