Central Visayas way off target

SAN JOSE, ANTIQUE, Philippines — Central Visayas snatched four more golds in the penultimate day but it  is far from what it aimed for in the week-long 60th Palarong Pambansa, which winds up today at the Binirayan Sports Complex here.

With still a day to go, CV stands with only 16 golds, 12 silvers and 23 bronzes to stay at eight place in the overall standings, way off the target for a contingent that aspires for a second-place finish beforehand.

Powerhouse National Capital Region is already assured of its 13th straight general championship with a 50-29-21 gold-silver-bronze harvest in the secondary level and a 30-15-15 haul in elementary.

Lloyd Apawan made his Palaro debut more memorable after handing Central Visayas with  another gold via the Olympic round in archery event. All in all, he got three individual golds, one silver and one bronze, making him the most bemedalled CV athlete alongside gymnast Daniela Regie de la Pisa.

Apawan won his silver in the team event together with Arnaldo Anyona and Kaine Lorenzo Casquejo.

 The region's chess players also powered their way to a golden finish in the secondary girls blitz competition, thanks to Regina Catherine Quinanola and Alpheca Gonzalez.

Making up for a disappointing bronze medal finish in the secondary girls century dash, CV's Samantha Gem Limos made sure she will not go home empty-handed as she topped the 200m in 25.40 seconds ahead of Calabarzon's Jessel Lumapas (25.57sec) and Negros' Angel Ann Pranisa (25.79sec).

It was, however, the spirited batters who gave Region 7 its most thrilling win of the day via a 5-4 cliffhanger over Negros Island Region to win gold in elementary girls softball.

The two protagonists figured in a 3-all standoff at the end of the regulation period, paving away for an extension that went in favor of the CV bets.

CV's  fourth gold of  the day came from badminton in the girls double plus two bronzes via the mixed doubles and boys doubles.

Boxer John Nino Vega settled for only bronze in the 46 kilograms. class, while swimmer Rian Mico Tirol could salvage only a bronze in the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:10.02.

The region's arnisadors ended their bid with two more silvers through Crystal Sapio and Fatima Edano and a bronze each from Reynald Simbahon and Daryl Anaso.

  In volleyball, CV was left with only the elementary girls while its football squads met contrasting fates.

The Don Bosco Technology Center-led elementary booters advanced the final round against host Western Visayas after posting a 3-1 win against Zamboanga Peninsula, but their secondary counterparts fell prey to Calabarzon in the penalty shootout, 4-5.

Meanwhile, host  Antique Governor Rhodora Cadio announced that Senator Frankie Drilon, a native of Iloilo, will be  the guest of honor when the games officially draws to a close today. (FREEMAN)