Double gold
Espiritu named champ, MVP
A THIRD year Bachelor of Science major in Marine Engineering from Davao Merchant Marine Academy (DMMA) College of Southern Philippines romped away with the most valuable player (MVP) award as Davao Region Taekwondo team emerged overall champion with seven gold medals, six silvers and four bronze in the Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) National Finals 2017 on April 26 in Iba, Zambales City.
Justin Paul Espiritu, 19, hauled the gold medal in college boy’s feather weight division and doubled it after he was named the MVP with the most score gained among other jins in his category.
"Wala ko nag expect na ma-MVP ko sir kay maka gold lang sa akoang division lang akoang dream (I didn't expect to be MVP, I only dreamt of capturing the gold medal in my category)," Espiritu, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao, said.
Espiritu, however, considers this recent achievement a redemption from last year where he was eliminated during the Prisaa Regional Finals against a Digos City jin.
"First time nako makasulod sa nationals mao naningkamot jud ko. Bago ang competition kay consistent jud akoang training, discipline sa sa sarili, huna-huna pirmi sa goal ug pag salig sa Ginoo (It’s my first time to join the nationals so I really worked hard. My training has been consistent, I practice self-discipline, eyes on the prize. And trust in God, of course.)" the double gold medalist who is also the team captain of the RCG Kaizen Taekwondo Club said.
With a boosted morale, Espiritu hopes to improve his performace in the Philippine National Games (PNG) last year where he earned third place.
"Nag bronze ko last year sa PNG, mao karon goal jud nako mag gold na this year (I was a bronze medalist in PNG last year and my next goal is to capture the gold this year)," Espiritu, who still has one playing year before graduation, said.
Jovet Onato of Universty of Mindanao (UM) Tagum, Bryan Tayongtong of UM Davao, Shayla Jesuro of Cor Jesu College of Digos City, Krystel Iñiguez of UM Tagum, Kate Gadian of Emar Human and Environmental College (EHEC) each earned a gold medal in their respective categories.
Davao Region's silver medalists are Joshua Mangibunong of UM Davao, Niel Heinz Sebilla of Ehec, Jerwin Garcia, Kelvin Mando, Joshua Fullo, Sander Urgel of UM Tagum. While Miggy Kyle Rivera, John Castañares, Eda Rhonna dela Peña of UM Tagum and Jumer Sotto of DMMA salvaged bronze medals.