DAPITAN CITY, Philippines – Central Visayas got off to a lukewarm start, picking only a silver medal from its elementary girls gymnasts after the first day of action in the 2011 Palarong Pambansa here at the Polanco Municipal Gymnasium.
Dianne Sophia Navarro and Francine Coyoca prevented Central Visayas from a medal blackout after placing second in the women’s artistic gymnastics.
FIRST GOLD
Over at the Jose P. Rizal Memorial State University Sports Complex, Stephanie Cimatu of Region I produced the first ever gold medal in the week-long sports conclave in record-establishing fashion.
The 17-year-old Cimatu topped the secondary girls javelin throw with a distance of 41.27m, breaking the 13-year-old mark of 39.72m set by Melba Quirino of Region VII in 1998 Palaro in Bacolod City.
“I was not expecting that I can break a record this year. Basta in my first throw, binuhos ko talaga lahat ng best ko and I’m happy na successful lahat ng mga throws ko at nakapag-break pa ng record,” said Cimatu.
Cimatu, a senior student from Luzon National High School and a daughter of a farmer and a housewife, hopes to make it a double gold as she completes in the shot put event today. Aside from athletics, she also formed part of the region’s women’s basketball team.
In basketball, the CV cagers trounced Region X, 61-57.
The CV bets also had a strong start in badminton, sweeping their rivals from Region X in elementary boys singles and doubles at the Dapitan City Cultural and Sports Center.
Emilio Mangubat thrashed Miguel Gibran Pana, 21-18, 21-8 in, while Nino Jay Quindao and Alfred Alejandro Armamento outclassed John Emery Jumawan and Joel Rey Pangasian in straight sets, 21-15, 20-22, 21-18.
In the girls bracket, Jessa Diamante clobbered Laarni Moreno, 19-21, 21-15, 21-5, while the duo of Android Rose Tingson and Tricia Merced Opon routed Lynholly Baylon and Ara Kynna Panganiban, 21-3, 21-2.
In volleyball at the Bagting open court in nearby Dipolog City, Central Visayas thrashed Cordillera Autonomou Region (CAR), 25-12, 25-18 while the Catmon Elementary School-manned girls squad stopped Region V in dominating fashion, 25-10, 25-13.
The secondary boys team from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation fended off Region IV-B in straight sets, 25-17, 25-19. They will face next ARMM and then the National Capital Region. (FREEMAN)