Dahili, Combate rule sprints

DUMAGUETE – Cebu’s Kylie Kenjie Dahili and Leyte’s Bianca Jane Combate emerged as the fastest runners while Aklan swimmer Michael Gabriel Lozada became the first triple gold medalist to highlight Day 2 of the Batang Pinoy Games Visayas regional championships on Sunday here.

Scratched from last year’s Cebu provincial squad for lack of funds, Dahili vindicated his inclusion this time in eking out a close win in the boys 100-meter dash in 11.88 seconds, relegating La Carlota’s Rhome Jed Ojeno (11.984) and hometown bet Mark Francis Pelletero (11.989) to the silver and bronze, respectively at the Gov. Mariano Perdices Stadium.

The reigning Palarong Pambansa sprint champion, Combate reasserted her mastery over the field in the handily topping the girl’s century dash in 12.321 seconds in the weeklong youth sportsfest organized and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Overcoming his heartbreaking disqualification in the boys 12and-under 400-meter individual medley event, Lozada gamely came back to wind up on a winning note in handily ruling the 200-meter backstroke in a personal best of 2:48.34.