Aiza wants to be a Diay

STA. CRUZ, Laguna — She dreams of becoming a teacher, but from the look of things, Aiza Cometa seemed destined to become a champion runner.

Amid the age-cheating controversy that continued to hound the centerpiece athletics event of the Batang Pinoy Games, the frail-looking Cometa came from nowhere to sweep the sprint races in smashing fashion here.

The 12-year-old lass and a sixth grader from Liliw town of this host province ruled the girls’ 200-meter dash in record run yesterday, one day after she dominated the century dash as she completed a sprint double in the event being held to discover, tap and develop athletes for the national pool.

After Cometa’s impressive run in the 100-m dash Wednesday came an offer from the national track and field association, inviting her to join the national training pool where she could further hone up her talent and skills and at the same time continue her studies through scholarships.

She clocked 27.1 seconds in the 200-m dash, eclipsing the previous best of 29.1 seconds set by Evelyn Hinampas of Misamis Oriental in the meet’s inaugural staging two years ago in Bacolod City.

"Masaya ako at nakuha ko ang pangalawang ginto pero may tatlo pa akong sasalihan at sana manalo din ako doon, (I’m happy I won my second gold but I still have three events where I also hope to win)," said Cometa, a self-confessed fan of Lydia ‘Diay’ de Vega-Mercado.

The former track queen, one of the coaches of the national training pool, was here to witness Cometa’s performance. "Magandang tumakbo pero maliit. Siguro, pag tumaas pa, may potential," said De Vega of the 5-foot-1 runner.

Leyte’s Joba Botana turned in a 27.9-second clocking for silver while Angie Onasin finished third for bronze in 28.8 seconds.

Cometa, who is set to receive P5,000 for every gold through Laguna sports coordinator and former PBA cager Vic Sanchez, competes today in the 400-m run, 4x100-m relay and 4x400-m relay races.

"Para sa magulang ko’t kapatid ang panalo kong ito dahil kung hindi sa kanila wala sana ako dito ngayon," said Cometa. "At ang pera na mapapanalunan ko ibibigay ko sa tatay at nanay ko pampadagdag sa tindahan namin." — Joey Villar