Laguna cops 9 golds to ease GenSan surge

CAGAYAN DE ORO – Laguna captured nine more gold medals, including five in athletics, as it held off General Santos City’s fiery charge in the penultimate day of action in the third Philippine Olympic Festival National Finals at the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Complex here yesterday.

Salvador Garin Jr. swept the 800m and 1,500m run golds; Cecille Constantino ruled the 400m hurdles, Aleah Gatmaitan topped the 100m hurdles and the Laguna lasses prevailed in the 4x400m relay team event for the five golds in athletics.

Palarong Pambansa multiple gold medal winner Banjo Borja, 16, anchored the team of Devron Bondad, Joshua Desamero and Robert Estrellado to cop the gold in the 200m medley relay in swimming in two minutes and 5.61 seconds.

Joshua Casino then ruled the 400m freestyle while the mixed squad of Jasper and Joshua Casino, Catherine Bondad and Joana Colleen Bondad topped the 200m medley relay to account for Laguna’s other gold medals at the pool.

It was Borja’s seventh gold, one shy of 11-year-old swim teammate Arianna Herranz’s amazing feat that underscored Laguna’s domination of swimming in the event jointly organized by POF chair Robert Aventajado and Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno.

Borja also won the 100m and 200m backstroke, 100m and 200m breaststroke and 400m individual medley.

Patricia Barredo capped the day with a badminton singles gold for 16 years old in the meet being backed by The Philippine STAR, Globe, Pagcor, Philippine Sports Commission, AMA Computer University, Summit Natural Drinking Water, Accel, Negros Navigation and Creativity Lounge.

Laguna remained on top with 40 golds, 22 silvers and 25 bronzes. But the Bicol and Southern Tagalog Qualifying Games champions expect a torrid final day rally by their rivals, including last year’s overall champion Manila, with the bulk of medals to be disputed today in arnis, taekwondo and archery as well as in beach volleyball, softball and football.

General Santos, the Mindanao Qualifying Games champion, closed in at 40-29-23, gaining ground up with its 10-gold medal effort in gymnastics.

Ferville Tripoli led Gen. Santos’ charge with a sweep of the rope, hoop, ribbon, ball and all-around events in gymnastics while Angelic Grace Oracion dominated the rope, ribbon, ball and all-around events.