Escallona rakes in 2 canoe-kayak golds at National Games opener

MANILA, Philippines – Janeth Escallona paddled her way to a pair of gold medals in canoe-kayak  and hopefully back into the national team as the 2013 edition of the Phl Sports Commission National Games was officially ushered in at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium today.

Escallona, 27, ruled the 5,000-meter touring kayak with a time of 30 minutes and 25.14 seconds. She then partnered with Edgar Galang in snaring her second gold, clocking in at 35:14.89 in the dragon boat tandem kayak event held at scenic Manila Bay in front of Roxas Boulevard.

Rosalyn Esguerra (31:27.95) and Leonita Banlat (34:28.11) finished with the silver and bronze, respectively.

The Balete, Batangas-born Escallona said she hopes her twin victories will help catapult her back to the national team fold.

"I'm hoping and praying to get back to the national team. I hope these wins help accomplishing it," said Escallona, who works as a utility at the PSC after failing to finish the Marketing course she is taking at Rizal Technological U.

Escallona, who is a gold medal winner in the 2004 Southeast Asian Championship, rued her getting pregnant in 2008 as the reason she had to give up her spot in the national canoe-kayak squad.

"I had a hard time focusing back then because I got pregnant and when my baby was born, it’s just really hard to concentrate in training anymore. This time though, I'm confident to really return," she said.

Escallona's wish though was instantly granted.

"With her (Escallona) two gold medals and if she keeps it up, I think there's no reason that she wouldn't be accepted back," said national team coach Len Escollante.

PSC chair Richie Garcia and Phl Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Jr. officially declared the Games open during elaborate rites done at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium Thursday night.

The event is being sponsored by Ayala Corp., Summit  Mineral Water, Bala Energy Drink, STI, Splash Islands, Enchanted Kingdom, LBC, 7-Eleven, Milo, Procter and Gamble, Peak/Kix, Tea Monkey, Standard Insurance, Delos Santos Medical Center, Spin.ph, Everlast, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Employees Association, Palm Plaza Hotel, Orchid Garden Suites and Puregold.