MANILA – Dancers from the Iloilo City-based Matias Balbastro Dance Academy nabbed three medals, including two golds in the virtual 2021 King’s Cup Taipei Open Dancesport Competition held over the weekend.
Dana Angelica Galfo clinched a gold medal in Open Solo Under 18 category while Zoe Alexandria Lanceta also seized gold in Open Solo Under 10 category.
Joemel Yap Magallanes was the lone silver medal winner for the squad of head coach Matias Balbastro in the Open Solo Under 16 category.
Bryant Stefano Embalsado, meanwhile, settled for a fourth place finish in Solo Open Under 12; Leanne Reigh Lanceta finished at fifth spot in Solo Under 18; John Kevin Sabuero also ranked fifth in the Solo Open Under 14; and Jag Sarate was at seventh place in Under 18 category.
Settling for semifinal finishes were Mary Ysabelle Cartagena in Solo Open Under 12 category, Bridgette Anne Libo-on and Khaye Formon, both in Solo Under 16 category.
On the other hand, Sabryna Hailey Gabasa and Syhara Jayden Gabasa reached quarterfinals in Solo Open Under 12 category and Solo Open Under 14 category, respectively.
Despite a short preparation, Balbastro was proud of the performances shown by his dancers in the tournament that was participated by some of the best dancers around the world.
“This is the most challenging training season we have. Despite all of those difficulties we encountered, we still made it. Some went home with medals, other with respectable rankings,” he said.
“Ang permi ko na hambal sa kanila, we do not compete but just play and enjoy lang because all of those achievements will fade and forgotten but good memories will lasts forever,” he added./PN
