INQUIRER Sports

LANAO DEL NORTE?Working at the banana plantations of Bukidnon province has kept this long-distance runner in tip-top shape despite missing competition for quite some time.

Vincent Neri took time off from his chores in Malaybalay to rule the boys? 5,000-meter run and earn the distinction of clinching the first gold medal of the 3rd Philippine Olympic Festival Mindanao qualifying games here.

A part-time banana carrier employed by multinational firm Dole, the 17-year-old Neri clocked 17 minutes and 10.41 seconds to seize the gold at the expense of Zamboanga?s Glenn Arellano, who timed 17:11.78, and Eduardo Padial of Agusan Del Sur, who clocked 17:13.56.

?I filed a leave of absence for one week to compete here,? said Neri, an incoming business administration freshman at the Bukidnon State University.

Meanwhile, General Santos City captured 29 of the 36 gold medals in artistic gymnastics even as Zamboanga, the reigning overall champion here, made its move on the track by snaring six of the 12 golds in athletics.

Precious Valerie Pama and Emelou Pono grabbed four gold medals each in girls? artistic gymnastics. Pama, 12, ruled the floor exercise, vault, balance beam and all-around event of category 2 level 3 while the 15-year-old Pono ruled the same events in the category 2 level 3.

GenSan?s male gymnasts snagged a total 15 golds in the boys? artistic event as Ivan Oracion (category 1, level 1), Ivan Rey Bagaboyboy (c-1, l-3), Reach Mark Pama (c-2, l-2), Diego Aristotle Biñan (c-2, l-3) and Miolito Romualdo (c-2, l-1) won three gold medals each.

Capping GenSan?s golden collection were the three golds of Cecilia Grace Oracion (floor exercise, vault and all-around) in category 1 level 1, the two gold medals of Aran Fuentes (balance beam and all-around) and Hessa Pacunla (floor exercise) in category 1, level 2.

Host Lanao Del Norte snared the team title in the girls? category 2 level 2 through the four gold medals of Lournelyn Cadile in the floor exercise, vault, balance beam and all-around events.

Zamboanga?s Rucellen Vales captured the girls? 100m dash for the second straight year in 12.42 seconds after province-mate Rexlester Binosa ruled the boys? century dash in 10.94 seconds.

Vales outclassed Alfrena Jade Diasana of GenSan (13.16) and province-mate Rubilyn Alvador (13.46), who later lorded it over in the girls? 800m run in two minutes and 32.64 seconds.

John Rey Bayhon pocketed the gold in the 800m run for boys in 2:06.76 seconds.

Cathy Badonio joined Zamboanga?s golden spree with a victory in the girls? discus throw (19.18 meters).

Palarong Pambansa titlist Radjeev Tahil also shone for Zamboanga by topping the boys? triple jump (13.89m).

Tangub City grabbed three golds courtesy of Surdilla in the girls? 3000m run (11:36.63), Edward Paul Paler in the boys? shot put (13.48 meters) and Regine Ganiolon in the girls? long jump (4.74m).

Koronadal City?s Renalyn Pabelo topped the girls? 100m hurdles while Yasay ruled the boys? 110m hurdles.