Sprinter, archers nail 3rd gold

NAGA CITY  ,Philippines – Bacolod’s Mary Antoinette Diesto sprinted to her third gold and boosted her bid for a stint in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games while NCR bets Bianca Roxas-Chua Gotuaco and Luis Gabriel Moreno likewise hit their third gold in archery highlighting the penultimate day of action in Batang Pinoy at the Metro Naga Sports Complex here yesterday.

Diesto turned in a 13.15-second clocking in the 100m dash to crown herself the event’s fastest girl and emerge athletics’ best performer following the Bacolod bet’s victories in the triple jump and long jump in the four-day meet staking berths in the 2014 World Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

In archery, Gotuaco and Moreno likewise took home three gold medals apiece after sweeping the recurve double 18m, Olympic round and the team events to emerge the best in their sport.

“I was so blessed in winning here and I offer this to my coach and to my family. My Mom and Dad really helped me build my confidence. I really appreciate their support and I hope to play for flag and country in a much bigger competition abroad,” said Gotuaco, niece of former national champion Emily Yap.

Baguio City’s Angela Carunungan, on the other hand, topped the 200m dash in 27.13 seconds and ruled the high jump with a 1.45m effort while teammate Agustina Anganayon topped the 3,000m in 11:41.11.

Dustin Jurell de Vega of Antipolo took the boys’ 200m dash gold in 23.32 to complete a sprint double in the event sponsored by Smart, Maynilad and supported by Milo, Jollibee, Negros Navigation, Reliv, Standard Insurance, Manila Bulletin, British Council and Growee.

Malolos’ John Edgard Reyes and Laguna’s Joella de Vera, runners up in the regional qualifiers, turned silver into gold medals after pulling off stunners over fancied Josh Maquelabit of Maasin City, 21-19, 21-14, and Ma. Elisha Ongcuanco of Santiago City, 21-19, 21-12, respectively, in badminton finals.

De Vera also stunned Santiago City’s Paola Beatris Bernardo, who copped the gold in the North Luzon regional leg in Baguio City, en route to her gold medal romp.

“I worked and prepared hard for this event because I really want to be a champion,” said De Vera, a 14-year-old pride of Victoria, Laguna whose exposure included participation in the Hanna Youth Cup in Japan recently, in Filipino.

Davao City, meanwhile, lorded it over the field in judo as it raked in 13 gold medals, courtesy of Stephanie Calamba (44 kg), Rizamae Labanse (48kg), Sydney Tancontian (46kg), James Velez (46kg), Christian Albanjo (55kg), Carl Asaneta (66kg) and Neil Eric Pena (90kg).

In boxing, Misamis Oriental sent six boxers to the semis, led by the troika of Erick Pamisa (mosquito weight), Raynald Lao (light paper) and Daniel Maamo (light pin), who won over Manila’s Riel Campatanta, 17-3, Manila’s Jay Arre Arcilla, 8-6, and host Naga City’s Mariel Velasco, RSC round three, respectively.

Manila’s Jerad Docena and Vince Angel Medina agreed to a draw to join Zambales’ Artino Paul Fortin, Bulacan’s Benjamin Casiano and Davao City’s Austin Jacob Literatus in the lead in boys chess.