Baguio bets dominate Batang Pinoy athletics

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – Nueva Vizcaya’s John Noel Huerta and Baguio City ‘s Angela Caronongan emerged as the most bemedalled athletes so far with four gold medals each in athletics in the 2011 Batang Pinoy here yesterday.

For the 14-year-old Huerta, a second year student at the Alfonso Castaneda High School and a son of a councilor, it was a big jump from his previous best performance, a bronze medal in a provincial meet.

 “It was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t know I could win four gold medals,“ said Huerta, who topped the 100m, long jump, and high jump on the first day of the athletics competition and added the triple long jump title to his collection in the event.  

Caronongan, 15, of Baguio City National High School, took a big step towards her dream of making it to the Youth Olympic Games as she ruled the 200m and 400m, high jump and classical relay.

The victory powered Baguio to the top of the standings with 19 gold medals, with Nueva Vizcaya a far second with four, all from Huerta.

Other Baguio gold medalists were Regan Contic in the shot put, discus throw and the classical relay.

 Ike Kevin Yagin won the 800m. and the 3000m run  plus a team gold in the classical relay.

 Precious Takinan contributed two gold medals – the girls’ long jump and the triple jump – while Bon Jovi Runas ruled the 2000m. walk and also shared in the classical relay event.

Agustina Anganayon chipped in two individual gold medals – 800m  and the 3000m – while Gail Ruby Ivonne Serran took the 400m girls’ title.

Guio Brian Malinao of San Juan del Monte in Bulacan ruled the 110m high hurdles and the 400m low hurdles on the first day of action and topped the  400m. run yesterday morning at the PSC training camp oval.

Zambales took a lone gold through the effort of Melanie Mayor in the girls’ discus throw event of the competition also supported by Smart, Maynilad, and Summit Mineral Drinking Water.

In lawn tennis, Baguio City’s Team A won the boys’ and girls’ team events, with both teams sweeping the one round competition.

 Olongapo finished second in both categories while Iba, Zambales finished third in the girls’ side. Baguio’s Team C took the bronze in the boys’ team event.

Baguio City Team A standout Monica Cortez advanced to the semifinal round in the girls’ singles competition where she plays Olongapo’s Catherina Bongco. The other semifinal match pits another Baguio Team A member, Jazeelyn Edeco, against Olongapo bet Jovi Macaraeg.

In archery competitions held at the Baguio City Athletic Bowl, Qun Gayod  from Bontoc and Rina Jean Tolentino  from Magalang, Pampanga triumphed in the double 18m event with Gayad ruling the boys’ side with 473 and Tolentino,  from the Pampanga Agricultural College, the boys division with a 463.

Arjay Almirol (425) and Tristan Aragona (422) took the silver and bronze medals in the boys’ side  while Nathalia Pili (449) and Florence Kaye Millares finished second and third in the distaff side.

On-going competitions feature elimination round action in badminton at the Baguio City National High School, judo, wrestling, taekwondo, chess, and table tennis while swimming starts today at the Athletic Bowl .

This year’s Batang Pinoy is also backed by Milo, Jollibee, Manila Bulletin, Negros Navigation-Super Ferry, The British Council, Standard Insurance, and Kids 3 Supplement at RELIV Now for Kids.

The remaining legs for this year’s series will be  in Makati and Sta. Cruz, Laguna and will culminate in the national finals in Naga City.