CRUCIAL FINAL DAY

Churmette Rocamora and Nicole Marie Cabije, both of Mandaue City, fight against each other in arnis competition of the PNG at the Mandue City Cultural and Sports Complex. / Lito Tecson

Cebu City to fight to the last event for the overall crown of Philippine National Games 2018

It seems that Team Cebu City will have to battle it out to the last event if it wants to win the overall crown of the Philippine National Games (PNG).

The Niños still lead with a medal tally of 41 gold medals, 52 silvers, and 54 bronze medals after five days of competition, as per the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) count.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) official medal tally as of 4:00 p.m has Baguio City running second with a 31-29-37 (gold-silver-bronze) record followed by Mandaluyong City (22-12-13), General Santos City (16-22-25) and Zamboanga City (14-6-13).

Baguio City won six more gold medals yesterday in taekwondo at the SM Seaside City Cebu to pull itself closer to Cebu City in the medal standings.

In order to assure an overall victory, the Niños must dominate the remaining events today in various venues around Cebu.

Cebu City’s biggest chance for golds will be at the much awaited dancesports event to be held at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu starting at 10:00 a.m. The dancesports event has 12 gold medals at stake and Cebu has been known to be contenders in this sport.

Cebu City also has three boxers who will vie in the gold medal round while the men’s volleyball team will also try to get past the semifinals (see separate story in page 24) for a shot at a gold.

Cebu City is assured one gold already since brothers Marc Norman and Norman Joseph Enriquez will face each other for the gold in men’s singles tennis.

Slow day

After hauling 14 gold medals in the fourth day of competition, the Niños had a lull in the penultimate day of the meet, winning just two gold medals along with two silvers and four bronzes.

The gold medal was contributed by Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Zethley Mae Alferez and her partner Norman Joseph Enriquez, who ruled the mixed doubles competition in lawn tennis held at the Citigreen Tennis Resort in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

Arnisador Dexler Bolambao added his second gold medal after ruling the bantamweight division of the live stick sparring of the arnis event held at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

“We are very happy with our rankings, though there are still games to be played today. Our chances in the remaining events today are very promising. If ever we will win the title, it will surely help our grassroots program considering that Team Cebu City is composed of volunteer athletes and coaches,” said CCSC Chairman Edward Hayco.

“We are at least 400 delegates in PNG and I am very thankful for the athletes who competed for Cebu City because they did not treat their responsibility in the grassroots program as a requirement but rather an obligation with dedication. If they win, they will surely inspire the kids in our grassroots program to join because PNG medalists will train them.”

The Niños boxing finalists are Jeorge Rey Edusma, who beat Negros Occidental’s Mario Bautista Jr. in the elite men’s bantamweight division, John Paul Gabunelas, who beat Negros Occidental’s Michael Adolfo in the youth men’s boxing division, and Jacob Regis, who beat Puerto Princesa City’s Billy Ray Naelgas in the lightweight division.

If ever the Niños will emerge as the champions in the meet, Hayco said they will be using the P10-million cash assistance to develop Cebu City’s planned sports hub that will be constructed in South Road Properties.