Shuttlers win big in Mati
MATI CITY, Davao Oriental – Davao City's tandem of Christopher James Sable and Andre Martin Apale clinched the elementary boys doubles gold of the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2017 badminton competition at the Mati Cultural Center here yesterday.
Martin and Apale bounced back from a first set loss to beat Davao del Sur bets, 17-21, 2116, 22-20, in their titular showdown.
Arthur Samuel Salvado, who was named most outstanding player, defended his title in the secondary boys single while Jico Samuel Babol captured the elementary boys singles gold.
Karylle Kaye Molina and Jennifer Helyn Saladaga also copped the secondary girls doubles gold while Ella Louize Tomboy annexed the silver in elementary girls singles.
Cheska Alamazan and Achbbel Baguio, for their part, took the silver medal in the elementary girls doubles while Julie Mae Gimena also accounted for a bronze secondary girls singles.
Elementary boys head coach Jethra Diaz, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao, said the athletes are doing well but still need to improve if they want to win in the 2017 Palarong Pambansa.
"Medyo kulang pa. Lisud man gud kay daghan kaayo graduating then conflict sad sa ilaha academics ang training. Labi na sa March 29 sa Tagum City na ang training (We still lack training. Most of the players are graduating students so their schedules are tight and Palaro training will be in Tagum starting March 29)," she said.
Diaz was also hailed as the Most Outstanding Coach along with coach Dianne Jean Navarro of the secondary girls team.
In other events, Herzel Miles Aberdan clinched the lone gold for the Davao City Durians secondary boys table tennis team after beating early favorite Digos City, 3-1, in the championship match held at the SP Activity Center yesterday.
Gene Anthony Angkang, meanwhile, got a bronze in secondary boys singles as Yves Jan Olin Buhat-Alvin Bibaoco also settled with a bronze after losing to Digos City in the secondary boys doubles.
Meanwhile, Dianne Sombilon and Jessa Cris Logronio cornered a bronze in secondary girls doubles while Corrine Cartera got a bronze in singles.
The pair of Ayesha Bonniemhie Quibol and Regine Portugalisa, however, bested Davao del Sur rivals, 3-0, for the elementary girls doubles gold.
Michelle Contridas, for her part, took the elementary girls singles A silver even as Marive Ladera settled for a bronze medal in singles B.
In elementary boys, Ryan Calderon got a silver. ABM