UC, USC take control Kong shatters two swimming records in Milo Olympics

CEBU, Philippines - Perennial champion University of Cebu (UC) and University of San Carlos-Basic Education (USC-BED) came up with strong performances in the medal-rich swimming and athletics events to take the temporary lead in their respective divisions after Day 2 of the 18th Milo Little Olympics Visayas Regional Finals yesterday mainly at the Cebu City Sports Center.

UC stayed on top of the totem pole in the secondary division with 70.5 points followed by USC with 50 points. Antique National High School surprised the field by taking the third place with 17.25 points.

UC's Michael Ichiro Kong continued his golden assault at the pool, topping the 100m backstroke in record-breaking fashion. He clocked in one minute and 7.13 seconds to erase the nine-year old mark set by Justin Ong at 1:09.13. Kong also reset his own record in 200m butterfly, from 2:28.76 to 2:23.34 thisn time.

Kong's teammate Karen Mae Indaya lorded it over in the 800m freestyle with a 10:58.19 clocking. She also had a silver in the 200m buttefly won by USC’s Razel Cabajar (2:55.06). Indaya finished her campaign for UC with a bronze medal in 100m backstroke.    

UC also got a big boost from its vaunted tracksters who harvested five golds in athletics led by Shantel Tanucan with a double gold medal in long jump (4.65m) and high jump (1.50m).

Joseph Camingao topped the secondary boys 110m hurdles in 16.91 seconds and, while Doren Romeral ruled the distaff side in 16.42 seconds.

UC’s final gold in athletics came from Rozel Ardiente in the 3000m run with the time of 11:01.58. She also plucked two silvers in 5,000m and 1,500m.

In taekwondo, UC garnered three gold medals courtesy of Andrae Lim, Kristian Tagarao and Zozen Prajes.

In the elementary category, USC-BED sets the pace with 63 points followed by Talisay South Elementary School of Negros Occidental with 27.5 points and St. John Institute-Bacolod with 25 points.

USC-BED’s Alfeo Vallespin delivered twin golds in 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:28.32 and in the 50m freestyle with the time of 31.80 seconds.

USC also ruled the boys elementary 200m freestyle relay (2:31.11), 400m medley relay (5:59.90), and 100m freestyle relay (1:09.80), while their girls team dominated the 400m medley relay in 6:10.10.

In track and field, USC-BED also made an impressive performance as they piled up gold medals courtesy of Mary Joy Loberanis with two golds in 1,500m (5:24.38) and 800m run (2:40).

Antonio Czar Octaviano was the fastest in the 200m run in 27.78 seconds, while Gleizel Faith Pelayre ruled the 110m hurdles with the time of 19.08. Ivan Miguel Santos won the 5,000m run in 17.38 seconds, while Joseph Berdin got the gold in discus throw in 18.57m.

The other gold medallists in elementary athletics event were Pearl Angeline Abellar with two golds for Sacred Heart School (SHS)-Ateneo de Cebu in long jump and 200m run, Talamban Elementary School’s Dave Lungcob in 800m and Iverson Angga  of Inayawan ES in long jump.

Maria Therese Gardose of Guinsay ES of Danao City, who snatched the tournament's first gold via shot put event, got her second gold in discus throw.

In elementary basketball, USC, SHS-Ateneo de Cebu, Cebu Eastern College and University of the Visayas

advanced to the semifinals after obliterating their hapless foes. USC slamed Virgen De Las Escuelas Pias School, 92-22, SHS-Ateneo de Cebu crushed Mandaue ES, 77-18, CEC demolished St. Alphonsus Catholic School, 102-34, and UV preyed mercilessly on Monterey School of Talisay, 79-21.

The competition will resume next weekend wherein badminton, chess, football, gymnastics, lawn tennis, scrabble, sepak takraw, sipa, table tennis, volleyball and the remaining track and field events will be contested. (FREEMAN)