Tac still at it, claims 2nd PNG gold

MANILA, Philippines - Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla proved that he can still pull the trigger when he won his second gold medal yesterday in the ongoing Philippine National Games.

The 49-year-old Padilla, a five-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games, ruled his pet event, the 25m rapid fire pistol, at the Fort Bonifacio shooting range.

The other day, he reigned supreme in the standard pistol. He is supposed to vie in today’s center fire event but opted to just loan his prized pistol to a promising shooter.

“He is good and promising so I just decided to let him use my pistol in tomorrow center fire event,” said Padilla of the unheralded Clarence Pukya.

The participants in this year’s PNG, which drew around 7,000 athletes in 54 sports, including those for special athletes, have a common goal: a spot in the national team.

For those already in the national pool, it’s a chance for them to prove themselves, and for the others, it’s a rare opportunity for them to be noticed.

The PNG, getting bigger and stronger since its revival four years ago, can also be used to justify the composition of the Philippine team to the 17th Asian Games in Incheon in September.

Padilla, who comes from Malabon, said he’s no longer eyeing a spot to the Asian Games.

“I just want to compete. Hilig na lang. Besides, this is the Philippine National Games,” said Padilla, only 12 years old when he won the gold in the 1976 World Junior Shooting Championships in Mexico.

Padilla joined the short list of double-gold medal winners in this PNG which comes to a close on Saturday.

Jessie King Lacuña of Pulilan, Bulacan yesterday won two individual gold medals in swimming at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. He topped the boys’ 400m freestyle in 4:07.19 and the 100m freestyle in 54.54 seconds.

Roanne Florence Yu of Manila topped the girls’ 400m freestyle in 5:12.84 and was part of Manila’s victorious team in the 200m medley relay along with Monica Padilla, Luica Dacanay and Andrea Beloso.

In athletics, already with two golds are Arniel Ferrera in men’s hammer and discus throw, Rosie Villarito in the women’s shot put and javelin, and Narcisa Atienza in the women’s high jump and 100m hurdles.

Action is held in different venues – from the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and Philsports to Marikina, Makati, Novaliches and Tanauan in Batangas (dragon boat and windsurfing).

Also winning gold medals in swimming yesterday were Brandon Sing of Manila in boys’ 200m back (2:21.42), Ariana Herranz of San Pablo City in girls’ 200m back (2:31.44), Catherine Bondad of San Pablo City in 100m free (1:01.87), Skyler Claveria of San Pedro City in boys’ 50m breaststroke (31.63), Maurice Dabi of Oriental Mindoro in girls’ 50m breaststroke (37.41), Axel Ngui of Quezon City in boys 200, butterfly (2:12.93), Danielle Cruz of Malolos, Bulacan in girls 200m butterfly (2:56.22) and Manila’s Malco Dacanay, Benjie Narciso, Juan Narciso and Sing in boys 200m medley relay (2:01.42).

In billiards yesterday, John Rebong and John Mauricio set up a title match in men’s 9-ball at the RMSC pool hall.

Rebong, last year’s champion, overwhelmed Warren Kiamco, 9-2, and Mauricio survived Manolo Tanasas, 9-5, in the semis.

Reigning world 10-ball champion Rubilen Amit advanced to the 9-ball semis with an easy 9-2 win over 14-year-old Cheska Centeno, who stunned Irish Ranola, 9-6.

In wrestling action over at the Riverbanks in Marikina, two-time SEA Games gold medalist Jayson Balabal of Ifugao Province won the gold in the 85 kg Greco Roman.

Other gold winners in Greco Roman yesterday were Roxel Jandog of Taytay (75 kg), Maxwell Francisco of Taytay (71 kg), Gregie Jandog of Air Force (66 kg), SEA Games gold medalist Margarito Angana of Zamboanga (59 kg), Mario Gacuma of Zamboanga (54 kg) and Michael Vijay Cater of Taytay (50 kg).