Cortes grabs Cebu City's first gold

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  – Vince Lester Cortes of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) bagged Team Cebu City's first gold in the 2010 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet at the Gov. Mariano Perdices Memorial Sports Complex here.

Cortes topped the elementary shot put event after heaving the iron ball to a distance of 8.34 meters.

The 12-year-old Cortes said it was his first time to earn gold medal in his two years of participation in the annual multi-sporting event. Last year, he only ranked third in shot put and second in discus throw.

“I was not really expecting that I would land in the first place because I was only a third placer last year. I'm happy and proud of my achievement now since I have the support of my family, which was my inspiration in the competition,” said Cortes.

“I will do my best to improve my standing in the Palaro next year. I take it as a challenge on my part since this would probably be my last competition in athletics,” said Cortes, who said that he might not continue to be a thrower in high school because he wanted to be part of a basketball team.

Overall, Cebu City garnered a total of three gold medals in the first day of the week-long sports conclave. The other gold medallists were long jumpers Nina Marie Antiola of the University of San Carlos (USC)-Basic Education and Stella Maris Malingin of the University of Cebu (UC).

However, it was Carlo Icoy of Bogo City who bagged CVIRAA's first gold medal in the boys secondary shotput with a distance of 9.23m. He was followed by Ryan Ruiz of Cebu Province (8.89m) and Joseph Nino Basalo of Toledo City (8.85m).

In secondary basketball, Paref-Springdale made a good start as it overpowered Cebu Province, 83-53, while at the Don Bosco gym, TCC spikers powered by the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) and University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) pummeled Guinhulngan in straight sets, 25-13, 25-5.

In the distaff side, USJ-R of coach Roldan Potot fended off host Dumaguete City, 25-12, 25-18.

At the Praxevilla tennis courts, Cebu City's Gener Francis Lambayan lost to Dumaguete City, 5-8. In the secondary girls, the multi-awarded Sally Mae Siso had an easy win over Toledo City via default while Claire Lazaga of USC won over Bohol, 6-8.

Meanwhile, TCC is expected to earn more golds as the swimming competition starts this morning at the Sen. Lorenzo Teves Aqua Center. (THE FREEMAN)