Can the Niños catch Quezon?

Charging Cebu City closes in on  leading Quezon with just a day left in BP Finals

Aaliyah Ricci Mataragnon and Samantha Limos bagged their second gold medals in the 2015 Batang Pinoy National Finals yesterday, helping Cebu City jack up its tally with just one more day left in the multi-sports meet.

Mataragnon and Limos’ golds were part of the nine Cebu City won yesterday to improve the hosts’ unofficial medal tally to 25-22-15 (gold-silver-bronze).

The 15-year-old Mataragnon of Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Cebu added a second gold in cycling by ruling the 37-kilometer road bike event in Danao City, clocking 1 hour and 1 minute.
Last Monday, she bagged her first gold by topping the criterium race.

Anne Krizzia Caasi of Cebu Province spikes the ball against GenSan while teammate Chriszelle Anne Caasi looks on during their beach volleyball game in the Batang Pinoy National Finals at the Fort San Pedro beach volley court. Cebu Province won. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

Limos, a 13-year-old sparkplug from the powerhouse University of Cebu, completed a sprint double by winning the girls 200-meter run at the Cebu City Sports Center oval with a time of 25.99. Last Saturday, Limos won the 100m gold in record fashion.

FUTSAL, VOLLEYBALL

Another gold was won by Cebu City in boys futsal after the Niños, composed of Don Bosco players, edged Tanauan City, 5-4, in penalty shootout at the Don Bosco Technology Center field.

Cebu City’s boys volleyball team from the University of San Carlos-Basid Education (USC-BED) also bested General Trias, Cavite, 25-17, 25-20, to win the gold at the old Sacred Heart School gymnasium.

The Niños’ 3-on-3 basketball team also manned by players from USC-BED, captured the shining yellow metal after escaping Mandaue City, 16-15, at the Danao City Civic Center.

KARATEKAS SHINE

Three gold medals were contributed by Team Cebu City’s karatekas. The gold medalists were Pauleen Marie Cabrera (novice kata 35kg), Jerson Sanchez (kumite 35kg) and JR Joseph Casquejo (novice kata).

Angelie Bless Cañedo could have given the Niños another gold from wushu but was stripped of her gold after accidentally hitting Erika Daniel Plaza of Panabo City in the groin area.

The head judge initially declared Cañedo the winner but the decision was later overturned by the medical personnel. Baguio City bagged four gold medals and five bronzes in the event.

Angeli Tamayo made it nine golds for Cebu City yesterday aftre topping the flyweight division in arnis.

QUEZON STILL UP

Quezon City City remains the leader with 29 gold medals, 19 silvers and eight bronze medals. Cebu Province is currently at third with 20 gold medals, six silvers and nine bronze while Mandaue City has a 12-8-13 tally for fourth.

Gold winners for Cebu Province yesterday were Precious Belicario (karatedo girls kata advance 32kg category and the 32kg kumite), Melquisedic Dela Victoria (35kg), Greg Christian (advance kata 53kg), Janine Narboada (28kg kumite) and Allison Kyle Quiroga (45kg kumite). Wendil Rama also won a gold medal in the kyorugi or sparring event of taekwondo at the SM City Cebu.

MANDAUE CITY SURGES

Mandaue City’s eskrimadors won two gold medals courtesy of John Michael Bonsua and Antonio Sensal at the Mandaue City Sports Complex. Mandaue City’s girls futsal team composed of players from Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu edged Olonggapo City, 3-1, in the championship match at the DBTC field to finish first.

Mandaue’s woodpusher Chris Aldritz Pondoyo finished with 6.0 points to bag a gold in chess competition at the DepEd Cebu City.

The multi-sporting meet for athletes aged 18 below will end today in what meet organizers promise to be a grand closing spectacle starting at 3 p.m.

GUINNESS BID

The closing will be highlighted by a Guinness World Record attempt of the Cebu City Sports Commission for the largest arnis class at the sports center.