Bantayan poised to sweep titles

CEBU - The islander athletes from Bantayan have higher and brighter chances of sweeping the titles at stake as they remained on the top spot in both the elementary and secondary divisions during the fourth day of action in the Cebu Provincial Sports and Cultural Festival 2008 yesterday at separate venues in Liloan, Consolacion and Compostela.

Going into the penultimate day of the week-long sports conclave, Bantayan registered a total of 73 points in the elementary division followed by Balamban with 62 and Daanbantayan with 51.

In the secondary division, Bantayan recorded an impressive 97 points, while Madridejos and Catmon occupied the second and third sports with 57 and 37 points, respectively.

Defending champion Badian is still groping for form as it is lagged at fifth in elementary division with 31 points as well as in the secondary level with 17 points.

In athletics, Bantayan added two more golds in its secondary treasure vault courtesy of Rolan Batiancila in the 400-meter run with a 55.84 seconds clocking and Joy Reyes in the 100m run in 14.07 seconds.

Tabuelan’s Christy Jane Tac-an took the 400m gold in one minute and 6.86 seconds, while Pinamungajan’s Joseph Jay Mercado snatched the 100m run crown in 11.73 seconds.

The high jump events were dominated by Charlyn Owatan of Consolacion in 1.33m and Eric Sampan of San Francisco, Camotes in 1.55m.

In elementary athletics, Dumanjug collared two golds courtesy of Gina Bayabian in high jump event with a distance of 1.25m and Blythe Marie Refuela in 100m run in 15.58 seconds.

The 400m run events were dominated by Jogie Briones (1:9.76) and Kevin Gabutin (1:4.98), while Yve Adrian Espina of Asturias (1.30m) and Badian’s Gualberto Navasco (14.07 seconds) grabbed the boys high jump and 100m run golds.

In arnis, San Fernando hauled six out of the nine golds up for grabs.

In the full contact solo baston (FCSB) category, Chiff Calimbo took the lightweight division gold, Felix Lapitag ruled the extra lightweight, and Jonel Langamin lorded it over in pinweight class.

Marlon Cinco contributed another gold from the individual double stick.The other two golds of San Fernando came from the synchronize single stick and synchronize double stick events.

Tuburan, on the other hand, claimed triple golds from Jason Diosma in the FCSB bantamweight, Rey Olasiman in the FCSB flyweight and Anecito Pasaje in the individual single stick.

In badminton, host Lilo-an bagged two golds after outclassing their opponents in the elementary badminton final held in Compostela. The tandem of Honey Rose Jubay and Ritchel Bihag overpowered Sogod’s Chris Ann Monzolim and Lea Yvette Baticuang to get the girls doubles title.

In the mixed doubles, Jubay and Ginel Christian Ughoc outsmarted Aloguinsan’s Leoncio Gabiana and Guia Moreno.

Aloguinsan though did not go home empty-handed as Gabiana took the boys singles crown.

Consolacion and Dumanjug also have something to brag about as they secured golds in the boys doubles and girls singles, respectively.

The Mangubat brothers of Consolacion, Emelio Jose and Emilio Jr., pummeled San Remegio’s duo of Arnold Allecer and Jaricles Pikitpikit, while Dumanjug’s Jon Mae Peras took the girls singles title after routing Lindsay Hermita of Sogod.

In elementary baseball, Asturias completed a grandslam feat after trouncing Tabuelan in their nerve-wracking championship battle, 9-5. (THE FREEMAN)