Santiago City pool sensation bags 5th gold medal

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Santiago City swimmer Jalil Taguinod plunged his way to his fifth gold medal even as Tarlac bet Bryan Amir Eugenio secured five mints in archery at the close of the 2017 Batang Pinoy Luzon leg here.

The 11-year-old Taguinod clocked 1 minute and 16.27 seconds to secure the boys 12-under 100-meter breaststroke after dominating in the 200m breaststroke (2:46.01), 50m breast (33.58sec), 50m back (39.92sec) and 200m individual medley (2:31.29) in the first three days.

Taguinod almost made it six out of his six events but he and his teammates failed to make it to the podium and finished eighth in the 4x200m medley relay Thursday afternoon.

While Taguinod was making waves at the swimming pool at the President Quirino Stadium, Eugenio was seizing the spotlight at the San Ildefonso Central School.

The 2017 Palarong Pambansa gold medalist claimed victories in the 30-meter cub boys, 40m cub, 50m cub, 1440 round cub, and the mixed division with Alyssa Faye Felipe.

Pampanga archer Maria Karylle Pangilinan also made an impact with four golds in the 40M cub girls, 50M, 60M, and 1440 round cadet.

At the President Quirino track and field oval, Jason Jabol also chased his fourth gold medal and succeeded by topping the boys 200m in 22.85 seconds.

The 14-year-old Jabol, who was recruited from Lipmanan, Camarines Sur during the 2015 Palarong Pambansa in Tagum City, earlier pocketed gold medals in long jump (6.18m), 100m (11.35sec) and 4x100m relay with teammates Jherwin Ricaforte, Lord Angel Santos and Charles Antones (45.70sec).

At the Baluarte Function Hall, Dasmariñas bets Kylen Joy Mordido and Michael Concio Jr. reigned supreme in the standard event of the girls 15- and boys 12-under respectively for their respective second gold medals after dominating the rapid events last Monday.