DAPITAN CITY, Philippines – Multi-awarded archer Marie Crizabelle Merto of Dumaguete City hauled two more golds and lone silver for Central Visayas in Day 3 of the 54th Palarong Pambansa at the ZN Sports Complex Archery Range here.
The 16-year-old Merto from Silliman University continued her gold medal hunt as she hauled golds in the 50-meter distance with 317 points and in the single FITA with 1288 points and a silver medal in the 60m.
Last year, she earned four golds and one silver, which she already had at the end of day three. Interestingly, she is the lone athlete who got multiple golds for Central Visayas.
“My training is different from the others as I am trained by my father. I’m happy that I was able to get the scores but I’m disappointed in my 60m scores because I was not able to make it. But this is just okay because these games will serve as my exposure for the Philippine National Games,” said Merto, who will be playing with her teammates Kiara Katada and Schenitte Tingas for PNG in Silay City.
She added that she was saddened by the poor performance of Region VII and she hoped that her gold medals will be of help for the overall standings of the region.
Merto is expected to earn more golds today in the Olympic round individual and team match play.
Over at the JRMSU Tennis courts, the boys secondary netters ended with a silver medal after it bowed to Region X.
Fritz Satera lost to Region 10’s Al Micheal Madreo, 4-8, in the men’s singles. However, the duo of Alexis Ondoy and Janel Troy Pintor bounced back as they pummeled Edilbert Alcantara and Ken Narvasa, 8-4. Unluckily, CV’s chance for a gold medal finish was not realized when Dan Eldred Cinco bowed to Fritz Verdad, 2-8.
The CV girls elementary badminton squad gave the National Capital Region a tough fight as their team competition finals ended with a deciding set at the Dapitan City Cultural and Sports Center.
Laville Laborte lost to NCR’s Sarah Joy Barredo, 14-21, 10-21, in the girls singles. However, the tandem of Android Rose Tingson and Tricia Merced Opon bounced back with a 21-14, 21-10 finish against Joyce Pauline Santos and Mikaela Francine Vargas. Unfortunately, NCR’s Aldreen Rae Concepcion defeated CV’s Jessa Diamante in the decider, 24-22, 21-17.
Mikhaela Kirsten Silverio of the University of the Visayas along with Kylie Kate Cabahug and Jowena Almirez ended the team competition of the rhythmic gymnastics. The three will also have their respective final events in the individual rhythmic gymnastics today at the Polanco Municipal Gymnasium.
BATTED SPORTS
The elementary and secondary softball squad secured wins yesterday at the Galas Open field. The Abellana National School-manned softball team routed Region I, 2-0, while their younger comrades defeated Caraga region, 2-1.
The secondary boys baseball team prevailed over ARMM, 5-0, at the JRMSU, Katipunan Open field.
FOOTBALL
Over at the Barcelona National High School field, the Central Visayas booters stayed unbeaten. The elementary boys squad fended off ARMM, 10-2, while the secondary boys blanked Region V, 3-0.
BASKETBALL and VOLLEYBALL
The Central Visayas elementary basketball squad failed to occupy the top spot in their bracket after bowing to Western Visayas, 59-67, at the JRMSU basketball court. But their title bid hopes are still alive as they earned a quarterfinal ticket.
The grand slam Palarong Pambansa champion Catmon Elementary School stayed unbeaten after beating Region IX in straight sets. (FREEMAN)