Kong sizzles as UC takes lead

CEBU, Philippines- Multi-titled Cebuano swimmer Michael Ichiro Kong kept his sizzling performance at the pool to vault the University of Cebu Webmasters on top of the leaderboard in the secondary division after Day 2 of the 19th Milo Little Olympics Visayas Finals yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Kong carted away a total of eight gold medals spiced up with five of the 29 regional meet records set in swimming event of this two-weekend sports conclave bankrolled by Nestle Philippines. His valiant efforts paved the way for UC to take temporary command in the secondary battle with 61.25 points, 13 points ahead of defending champion University of San Carlos-BED. St. Scholastica's Academy of Talisay, Beatriz Durano Memorial NHS of Danao and the University of the Visayas figured in a three-way tie at third with 30 points each.

Kong broke his  own mark in the 200m, from 2:23.34 with 2:19.60, as well as in the 200m freestyle, from 2:12.41 to 2:10.47.

"This is going to be my last Milo Little Olympics and I promise to give my best shot come the national finals," said Kong, who started competing in the annual Milo Olympics way back in 2009 when he was only 10 years old.

Kong’s teammate Karen Mae Indaya also shattered the previous mark in the 200m backstroke with the time of 2:48.12.

There were 23 other records broken at the end of the swimming competition, five of which courtesy of Psalm Daniel Aquino of Asian College of Technology-Talisay, seven of Raven Faith Alcoseba of FCRA, two from Junvic Tiro of USC  and SSA’s Christianne Jerez, and one each from SHS-ADC’s Johann Tubesa and  SSA’s Regan Garbanzos.

SHS-AdC also esbalished a new record in 200m freestyle and SSA in the 200m freestyle relay.

In gymnastics, UV kept its domination of the sport both in artistic and rhythmic sportive disciplines. Daniela Reggie de la Pisa, most outstanding athlete last year, lived up to expectations after sweeping the elementary RSG with six golds. Eunice Odag claimed five golds in the secondary division as teammate Marianne Alegado got the ribbon’s gold, while WAG bets Eurika Eisley Soronio handed over five golds in the elementary and Dianne Sophia Navarro had four golds in the secondary action.

Athletes from Danao’s Beatriz Durano MNHS made their presence felt by dominating secondary table tennis as another Danao-based school, Severo Duterte ruled the elementary department.

Talamban ES reigned supreme in the sipa in the elementary division, while Abellana National School bounced from a so-so performance last year in the secondary level.

USC, on the other hand, took the driver’s seat in elementary level with 52 points followed by Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu with 36.25 points and ACT-Talisay with 34 points.

Don Bosco Technology Center made up from its loss last year in elementary football by winning the gold this time at the expense of Camp Lapu-Lapu ES, 5-0.

In the race for overall glory, USC is confident of retaining the championship owing to its stellar performance in athletics where the Carolinians grabbed five golds, three silvers and two bronzes in the secondary and seven golds, four silvers and three bronzes in the elementary category.

UC’s Elyzza Salinas stole part of the limelight in athletics after breaking the 14-year-old record of Lyle Larida in the 100m hurdles. Salinas clocked in 15.80 seconds to erase Larida's old mark of 16.30sec.

Larida was so happy to see how Salinas, who failed to qualify in the national finals last year, blossomed into a very promising hurdler.

“I have never seen someone else here who did three-steps all the way in hurdles after me. I am happy, so happy for her.” said Larida.

Meanwhile, some events will continue this Wednesday since it’s a holiday in observance of Cebu Province’s founding anniversary. (FREEMAN)