Best place finish for Oro bets
Team CDO overtakes General Santos City for 2nd overall in 2019 Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg qualifier
AN eight gold-rush on the final day propelled Cagayan de Oro to its best second-place finish overall in the 2019 Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifying leg concluded on Saturday, February 9 at Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City.
Trailing General Santos City by just a single gold on the penultimate day, the CdeO bets struck hard on the final day of the eight-day battle for Mindanao’s finest athletes 15 years and below by winning 3 gilts in badminton, one gold each in chess and athletics, plus three more championship victories in beach volley boys, softball girls and basketball girls.
“Thrilling kaayo sa final day of action, though optimistic kita nga magimprove from third to second place kay wala na sa mga ballgame finals ang GenSan nga didto sab sila kusog sa individual events. First time nagpadala og daghang atleta ang Cagayan de Oro sa Batang Pinoy and first time usab nag second place kay sa una layo kaayo kita sa medal standing overall,” said city sports chief Jaymar Rivera, who spearheaded the 249-strong Cagayan de Oro delegation of athletes, coaches and officials in the annual sports conclave.
In the unofficial tabulation by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Davao City hauled 56 golds, 39 silvers and 58 bronzes to retain the overall championship of the Batang Pinoy 2019 Mindanao Qualifying Leg, just two golds short of last year’s harvest in Oroquieta City.
Cagayan de Oro was at distant second with 33-23-41 medal haul followed by General Santos City (27-33-31) third, Davao del Norte (24-2524) fourth and Koronadal City (22-12-9) fifth.
The PSC has yet to release the final official medal tally as of presstime.
As kiddie chess sensation Ruelle “Tawing” Canino completed a raresweep of the three golds at stake in chess on Saturday’s blitz event and barangay Balubal pride Rona Bacus picked her second gold in long jump competition, the badminton wards of Eric Miguel and fellow coaches Ramil Reformina and Efren Pollentes netted three golds to make it impossible for GenSan to cling on to its grip for the second place overall.
Zaki Layno of Xavier University, Neil Omega Jr. of St. Mary’s Academy joined forces with the Oro shuttlers from Corpus Christi School in a medal-altering effort for badminton event.
CCS Knight Jamal Pandi pocketed the gold in 13-under boys singles before teaming up with Omega in bagging the gold in 13-under boys doubles.
Rainer John Antiporda, Gensan
GIRLS PINWEIGHT Gold: Lady Jane Payla, CDO; Silver: Rhea Mae Rentoria, Shynie Jane Mantiza, Malaybalay
JR GIRLS LIGHT FLYWEIGHT
Gold: Shyna Jane Mantiza, Malaybalay; Silver: Mary Car Vicente, CDO; Bronze: Marilou Jardeliza, Agusan and Reyna Malompon, Misamis GIRLS FLYWEIGHT Gold: Mary Grace Salcedo, Malaybalay; Silver: Honey Mae Casiple, S. Cotabato BOYS PINWEIGHT Gold: Angelou Lofraco, CDO; Silver: Daryll Dave Lagazo, Kidapawan; Bronze: John Paul Napoles, Gensan and Rene Boy Atam, Koronadal
BOYS LIGHT FLYWEIGHT Gold: Jhasli John Illudar, CDO; Silver: Cristian Dave Presores, Bansalan; Bronze: Alexis Dagaang, Panabo and Jhudel Acedilla, Cabadbaran BOYS FLYWEIGHT Gold: Rhein Jhon Gidor, CDO; Silver: Christian Jade Kudarat and Rodolph Steve Klent Panes, Agusan BOYS LIGHT BANTAM Gold: Jay Larie Lagazo, Gensan; Silver: Lee Van Llod Pilapil, Agusan; Bronze: Eduardo Teric, Bansalan
BOYS BANTAMWEIGHT Gold: Jimler Cubay, Sultan Kudarat; Silver: Joseph Machuca, Agusan; Bronze: Kierel dela Cerna, Davao and Filjun Saiden, Panabo. (PNA)