Michael Ichiro Kong of Region 7 leads the pack in the 200-meter butterfly event of the Palarong Pambansa 2014 at the Laguna Sports Complex.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
Sta. Cruz, Laguna— Gymnast Daniela dela Pisa achieved something that her mother tried but failed to do. And by doing so, the athlete buoyed the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) to a massive medal haul in the third day of competition of the 57th Palarong Pambansa here.
Region 7 yesterday hauled seven gold medals, four coming from Dela Pisa, whose mother, Darlene, was at the sidelines standing as her coach.
Daniela ruled the ribbon, freehand and club events and added another gold after she was declared as champion in the individual all around competition. She also won silver in the balls event.
“I’m so proud of her,” Darlene said. “I tried several times but didn’t make it to the Palaro and here she is winning golds before my eyes.”
The taekwondo elementary squad also came alive for Region 7 by raking in two golds.
Sharmaine Albaraccin topped the Poom Sae Individual A, while Aidaine Krishia Laxa ruled the Poom Sae Individual B.
The elementary badminton team, composed of the vaunted Banilad Elementary School, once again asserted its might when, for the third straight year, it ruled the Team Tie Competition.
Carl Bernard Bejasa ripped his Region 6 opponent, 21-14, 21-5, in the first singles. Lyrden Laborte and Neil John Navarette sealed the region’s gold medal run by winning the doubles event, 15-21, 21-14, 23-21. The team also had Aloysius Bien Miraflor.
Scoring the magnificent three-peat was a result of the team’s rigid year-round preparation, said coach Eduardo Estoconing.
“Its all about practice. In one year, we only rest four times and that’s on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and All Soul’s Day,” said Estoconing, who has Alma Flores as co-coach and his son Patrick as trainer. “We are confident of winning more medals in the individual events as long as the kids keep their focus.”
With yesterday’s harvest, Region 7 now has nine golds, three silvers and two bronze medals.
“So far, our athletes are putting up a good showing. I hope we can sustain it. We are also praying that our players will be free from injuries,” said Vivian Ginete, chief of the Education Support Services Division and athletic manager of Cviraa.
Last Monday, three players of Region 7’s secondary football team suffered various injuries in its 13-2 routing of Region 3.
The team, which improved to 3-0 (win-loss), bucked the absence of the three players when it nipped Region 9, 2-0, and advanced to the quarterfinal round.
On the other hand, the secondary boys basketball team leaned on a strong endgame kick to post its second straight win, beating Region 3, 88-76.
The two squads figured in a highly physical match, leading to the ejection of two Region 9 players in the second period. Region 7 also lost Paul Galinato in the second half due to injury.
It was a tight contest throughout the game but Region 7 found a way to escape, breaking free from a 76-all standoff in the final 2:43 with a massive 12-0 game-closing run.
The elementary volleyball team also cruised to its second straight win with a 25-6, 25-13 bashing of Region 9.
“Some of our players are under the weather. Hopefully, they can recover as the competition progresses,” said coach Vilma Veloso, who is looking to guide the squad to a back-to-back crowns.
The team, composed of players from the powerhouse Catmon Integrated School, is gunning for its sixth title in 10 Palaro appearances. The team has three silver finishes.
The secondary girls volleyball team snatched its second victory via a 25-7, 25-9 decision over the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).