VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Western Visayas struggled in its campaign in the 61st Palarong Pambansa, settling for four gold, three silver and three bronze medals on Tuesday.
WV got most of its medals in arnis with Ilongga Jessie Mae Beso capturing a gold in the secondary girls anyo individual double weapon and a silver in espada y daga at the San Vicente Sports Complex.
As of 6:56 p.m. Tuesday, WV was on fourth place overall with five gold, five silver and five bronze medals. Defending overall champion NCR was on top with six gold, five silver and four bronze medals; Region 12, second, 6-4-5; and Region 4-A, third, 6-2-11.
Beso, who was from Manuel Onato National High School in Capiz, took home the gold in individual double weapon with 29.10 points. Taking silver and bronze were Zesa Jean Canales of Region 9 and Shakira Elaine Bruas of Region 10.
Beso could have won her second gold after tying gold medalist Shaira Bonita of Region 10 with 28.80 points but fell short on tiebreak. Princess Mae Delmundo of Region 4-A bagged the bronze medal.
WV claimed its second arnis gold courtesy of Carley Wayne Reyes, Jeremy Joseph Tanedo and Kyle Angelo Tiron in elementary boys anyo team single weapon. Groups from Regions 12 and 5 bagged the silver and bronze medal, respectively.
Tiron could not muster his second gold after settling for a silver medal finish in elementary boys anyo individual single weapon. Fritz Den Mark Bartonico finished with bronze in the secondary boys anyo individual espada y daga.
ANOTHER RECORD
But WV managed to sneak in another record-breaking feat just before the day ended – Ilongga Avegail Beliran obliterated an eight-year Palaro record in elementary girls javelin throw.
Beliran, a native of Carles, Iloilo, set a new record in her pet event with 41.46m. The previous record was held by Cavite’s Gia Bucag – 40.63m – which she did in the 2010 edition.
Negros Occidental’s Trexie dela Torre delivered WV’s fourth gold on Day 3 as she topped secondary girls long jump with 5.54m. Her teammate Angelyne Ortiz failed to land a medal, finishing fourth.
Negrense Jamela de Asis managed to break the 26-year-old Palaro record in secondary girls shot put with 11.29m but settled for silver as NCR’s Kasandra Alcantara tallied 11.88m. The previous record was 11.20m posted in 1992 by Marites Barrios.
WV also had two bronze medals in elementary girls chess with Precious Day Yecla finishing third in blitz individual before teaming up with Kimberly Colaste for second runner-up in blitz team./PN
