MSU, UP bets rule sport climbing

Mindanao State University and University of the Philippines-Diliman lorded it over the field in the seventh San Mig Light National Inter-Collegiate Sport Climbing Championships as they ruled the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, at the Glorietta Activity Center over the weekend.

The MSU climbers composed of Omar Montoya, Enrico Galang and Josef Panerio dominated the men’s side from the elims up to the finals, scoring 300 points in the qualifiers, 255 points in the semis and finishing with 245 points in the final round.

They beat the troika of Miel Pahati, Dadsie Coscoluella and Affie Yap of University of Asia and the Pacific, which finished with 130 points, while the Xavier University team of Bernie Martin, Lester Lim and Alejandro Hona had 109 points for third.

A total of 21 schools competed in the men’s division and 22 in the women’s side (Difficulty Climbing) with the top eight advancing to the semis and the next top five squads clashing in the final round of the tournament organized by IMG (International Management Group). The event is supported by San Mig Light, Viva Mineral Water, Cali, Magnolia Juices, Siemens Mobile Phones, Colours Jeans, Carter Innerwear, 103.5 K-Lite, My.Ayala.com and JVC.

In the distaff side, the UP-Diliman team of Lenina Gonzalo and childhood friend Ina Flores ran away with top honors by scoring 200 points in the final, beating Iligan Medical Center College (Jennefer Suan and Mae Dagasohan-137) and the University of San Carlos-Cebu tandem of Ma. Jovita Liparanon and Jannice Lacida (102).

Simon Sandoval, the country’s top climber and ranked among the top 20 in Asia, lived up to his billing and reputation as he topped the 40-player field in the Open Category (Difficulty Climbing).

Marvin Ilanan, an instructor at Power Up, nipped Erwin Gozum in the countback for second place.

Lissa Lesaca, the 26-year-old veteran climber at Power Up, ruled the women’s class as she beat Iligan City bet Jennefer Suan and Shane Buzon, also of Power Up, for top honors.

In the Open Speed Climbing division, Ina Flores took the top honors as she beat Jennefer Suan and Shane Buzon, while Xtian Guerrero humbled last year’s winner Mau Gaite and Gax Ilanan to rule the men’s division.

They will thus represent the country in next year’s X Games slated February in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.