Manila, QC bets up in Luzon BP

IBA, Zambales—Palarong Pambansa champion Maurice Sacho Ilustre launched his multiple medal campaign in the Luzon qualifying leg of the 2013 Batang Pinoy Games with a narrow victory yesterday at Zambales Sports Complex swimming pool.

Winner of five gold medals in the recent UAAP swim meet, Ilustre ruled the boys’ 13-15 400-meter freestyle in 4 four minutes 32.19 seconds for Manila, which finished the day with two golds like Quezon City as the two contingents resumed their  pool rivalry.

Milcah Therese Mina nailed Manila’s second swim gold in the girls’ 11-12 400m free while Quezon City responded through Akiva Jose Carino in the boys’ 13-15 200m backstroke and Kirsen Chloe Daos  in the girls’ 13-15 400m free.

The other winners were Marc Audrey of Malolos (boys’ 11-12 400m free), Baguio’s Dan Christian Leyba (in the boys’ 11-12 200m back), Anna Althea Articona of Laguna (in the girls’ 11-12 200m back) and Lucena City’s Justine Anne Abastillas ( girls’ 13-15 200m back).

A 13-year-old eighth grader from University of the East, Ilustre intends to add the 1500m free, 200m fly, 200m free and 100m fly to his medal collection in the next two days.

The first gold for Luzon-based athletes went to Jeremie Jewel Sayo, who ruled  the boys’ 5,000-meter run.

The Grade 7 pupil from Marikina High School clocked 17 minutes and 7.1 seconds, beating James Galima of Candon City, Ilocos Sur (17:08.6) and Raymark Quezada of Baguio City (17:28.8).

Pangasinan began its overall title bid with a 1-2 finish in the girls’ 2,000m walk.