MARIKINA City – Negrense Krisha Dedoyco Aguillon emerged as the fastest sprinter after topping the secondary girls 100-meter dash in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa at the Marikina Sports Center here.
The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts standout braved the rainy and slippery ground to capture her first gold medal in the week-long competition, which is making a return after four years.
Aguillon finished the race in 12.57 seconds to defeat Region 4-A’s Krisleen Santiago (12.82 seconds) and Region 7’s Schemely Ombid (12.95 seconds). Another WV bet, Angel Villagracia, ended at sixth place.
“Nag-paid off ang pinagbudlayan namon sa training,” said Aguillon, who is reportedly drawing interest from some Manila-based schools. “Happy man gid because the best of the best ang nag-compete dito sa Palaro.”
Aguillon, younger sister of Far Eastern University sprinter Antonette Jay Aguillon, will have a chance to add up to her medal haul as she competes in 200-meter dash this Thursday and 4×100 meter relay on Friday.
Negrense hurdler Mico Villaran and Airex Gabriel Villanueva of Romanito Maravilla National High School also won a gold medal each in the secondary boys 400-meter dash and shot put, respectively.
San Remigio, Iloilo-native Erica Nicole Coleen Salmeron, on the other hand, added to Western Visayas’ gold medal haul after topping the elementary girls shot put event.
Bacolodnon Anika Matiling, meanwhile, bagged the region’s first gold medal in swimming as she ruled the elementary girls 100-meter backstroke event on late Tuesday.
Aklanon Jennuel Bool de Leon won two silvers in secondary boys 100-meter backstroke and 4×50 meter medley relay with Lance Magno, Earl Buncion, and Troy Castor, while Ilonggo Alexander Quiton also won a swimming silver.
Western Visayas bagged three silvers in taekwondo courtesy of Cyd Edryc Esmaña in secondary boys individual poomsae, secondary mixed pair and team poomsae and a bronze medal from Julianna Martha Uy in secondary girls individual poomsae.
The Ilonggo duo of Joshua Miguel Bañas and Xian Raj Honrado took home a silver medal in the elementary boys table tennis doubles after bowing to Region 4-A in the finals./PN
