CEBU, Philippines – Bemedalled Cebuana tanker Cebuana Raven Faith Alcoseba is a class of her own, winning two more gold medals for Cebu Province in swimming event of the Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy National Championships at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday.
After hauling a pair of gilts on opening day, the Talisay City-native Alcoseba snared the 100-meter backstroke gold with a 1:10.14 clocking. After a short rest, Alcoseba was in her element again, leaving behind her opponents by 25 meters at the end of the 400m individual medley.
Alcoseba’s teammate Rian Marco Tirol added one silver and one bronze for Cebu Province.
Team Cebu City, on the other hand, finally won gold through its "adopted" swimmer, Jo Lander Molina, with meet record in 200m breast stroke with the time of 2:57.11.
Molina, a native of Loon, Bohol was taken in by TCC coach Rolando Alvarez after almost missing the qualifying leg. To return the favor, Molina gave his best shot to eventually bag his first gold after four tries in Batang Pinoy.
Earlier, the 12 year-old Molina got a silver via the 50m breast stroke.
Two other TCC bets in Karen Mae Indaya and Justin Reign Garrido grabbed only bronze in 200m freestyle.
Over at the track oval, Cebuanos got no luck in the first four events of athletics competition.
Taguig's Gian Neli Gatinga won long jump gold, while Jasper Marinas of North Cotabato topped the high jump.
Escalante's Greg Lorega was the fastest in the boys 5,000m run with the time of 17 minutes, while Koronadal's Francies Balbaguio ruled the 2,000m walk in 12:28.8.
In triathlon, Yuan Chiongbian prevented the host City from a medal shutout after bagging bronze in the accident-marred battle in Danao City.
Caloocan's Brent Valelo got the gold with the time of 38:45, while Iloilo's John Caleb Barlin settled for the silver in 38:58 clocking. Chiongbian followed suit in 39 minutes and 25 seconds.
In the distaff side, Quezon City's Nicole Eijansantos snatched the gold in 44:57. (FREEMAN)