Mindanao bets dominate tracks in Little Olympics

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – Mindanao bets began the defense of their home turf on a high note, dominating the early events in track and field at the start of the 2010 National Milo Little Olympics on Saturday at the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center here.

Immanuel Camino led a Mindanao 1-2 in the 5,000-meter run, clocking 16 minutes, 49.13 seconds while Elben Neri finished in 17:08.03 ahead of Visayas’ Aldrin Agang, who timed 17:20.18.

Jerwin Ebcas also got half of the job done in his quest to complete a sprint double, clinching the 100-meter gold in 11.40 seconds. Kenneth Monzon of Visayas bagged the silver in 11.62 while Dustinne de Vera of National Capital Region (NCR) settled for the bronze with a 11.62.03 clocking.

Jancses John Beltran added to the home bets’ gold haul with a 9.64-meter heave in the boys’ shotput while Jessa Fernandez made it a double by winning the girls’ side with a 9.24-meter throw.

Visayas’ Ken Montellano placed second behind Ebcas with an 8.48-m throw followed by Ronan Isaac Abagat of Luzon with 8.44m.

Lei Ann Tan of Luzon bagged silver in the girls’ side with 9.20m while NCR’s Charmie Olinares clinched bronze (8.60).

“They performed well as expected and we are pleased to give the home crowd something to cheer about,” said Mindanao athletics coach Junelou Marie Cabal. “Based on their recent performances I think we have a good chance of winning more medals on the track.”

NCR’s Michelle Palmares became the first double gold medalist on the track, dominating the 100-m dash and 100-m hurdles under the scorching sun. She clocked 12.64 seconds in the century dash, beating Mary Ann Mabansag of Visayas (13.01) and Darlene Caoile of Luzon (13.11).

The high school student at Sisters of Mary’s School made it two-for-two by ruling the hurdles, getting off the blocks quickly and was a comfortable two paces ahead by the 60-m mark, finishing in 15.38 seconds. Jasmine Felix of Luzon settled for second place (16.78) and Abegail Flores of Visayas placed third (16.91). Palmares will no longer see action in the long jump, which she also won last year in Cebu, but will try to complete a golden treble when she vies in the triple jump on Sunday.

“Sinunod ko lang yung gameplan, which was to stay calm,” said Palmares. “Yung iba ko kasing competitor dito, dati ko na nakalaban, pero yung iba, hindi pa. Para wala na lang pressure, hindi ko na inisip yung mga records and recent performances nila.”

Luzon’s Mark Rabanon topped the boys’ 110-m hurdles in 16.12 seconds while Visayas’ Roy Villahermosa placed second in 16.16 and Raul Perez Jr., also of Visayas, was third in 16.78.

Jonfrey Opendo of Luzon clocked 2:02.63 in winning the 800m over Mar Lowe of NCR (2:09.06) and Mindanao’s Ian Temonio (2:10.24). NCR’s Vanessa del Valle won the girls’ event in 2:23.34 over Luzon’s Divina Kitongan (2:24.90) and Evelyn Barcelon of NCR (2:26.60).

The three-day event formally unfurled Friday night with Misamis Orietal Gov. Oscar Moreno gracing the opening rites along with Milo sports executive Pat Goc-Ong and other top government and school officials.

 “Sa pagdating at pagdalo pa lamang sa event na ito, masasabi ko nang winner na kayong lahat,” Moreno told the participants during the opening rites spiced up by traditional dance and a fireworks display. “By just trying and giving your best, you are already winners.”