A. Albert kiddies dominate athletics

Dapitan, Sampaloc’s A. Albert Elementary School opened its ambitious campaign in athletics with a big bang by bagging three of the four gold medals contested yesterday in Day 4 of the first Manila Youth Games at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Palarong Pambansa-bound Rose Anne Trinidad led AAES’ charge by topping the girls’ long jump with a distance of 3.58 meters, besting Karen Abalos’ 3.04 and Jersan Marie Alapaz’s 2.64.

Also making heads turn in this event organized by Manila Sports Council head Ali Atienza were Trinidad’s teammates Gilbert Habon and Jennilyn Mandar.

The 12-year-old Habon, a resident of Blumentrit, Sampaloc captured the boys’ long jump gold medal with a 4.11-m performance, prevailing over Darryl Dayao (3.90) and Gerald Bulabol (3.61).

Mandar, a 12-year-old sixth-grader completed AAES’ domination of the event after she outclassed rivals in girls’ shot put. She had a jump of 7.39 m, while 11-year-old Jane Mirandilla and Ma. Luisa Basquillas settled for second and third, respectively.

"We expected this kind of performance because the team has been practicing hard with decent performances in the Milo Little Olympics and the weekly PATAFA relays,’ said AAES coach Romeo Millare, who also coaches the NCR athletics squad playing in this year’s Palarong Pambansa in Naga City next month.

Plaridel Elementary School’s Randolph Hernandez put a dent to AAES’ athletics juggermant after he conquered the boys’ shot put event with a gold medal throw of 7.53 LDES’ Jomor Castillo finished with 6 m to settle for a silver medal while AAES’ Elcid Cuyugan ended with a bronze medal with a heave of 5.55. — Joey Villar