Palaro 2015: NCR makes presence felt, captures 9 golds

DAVAO DEL NORTE—National Capital Region launched an early raid in medal-rich gymnastics and chess with a haul of nine gold medals as this quaint province formally raised the curtain on the 2015 Palarong Pambansa Monday.

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario welcomed thousands of athletes, coaches and officials and expounded on the competition’s theme of “breaking borders, building peace” during the festival-like opening ceremonies held at the Dav-Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.

Interior and Local Secretary Mar Roxas delivered the keynote speech in front of the huge throng that included volunteer performers in kaleidoscopic costumes. Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Philippine Sports Commission executive director Guillermo Iroy also addressed the delegates.

The Big City athletes made their presence felt at Panabo Multi-Purpose Cultural, Tourism and Sports Center, with six golds in gymnastics.

John Ivan Cruz led the NCR charge, ruling the secondary boys’ all-around and sharing the gold in men’s artistic gymnastic team cluster 3 with John Matthew Vergara and Patrick Poquiz.

Jhon Romeo Santillan and Aldrin Apuyan topped the elementary boys’ artistic gymnastics’ Cluster 2 team event, before Santillan copped the individual all-around crown.

In women’s artistic cluster 2, Isabella Sta. Maria captured the gold in secondary girls individual all-around and led the NCR team to the team gold along with Jasmine Jane Velasquez.

NCR collected three more golds. Ynna Sophia Canape and Jesca Docena took the secondary girls’ team gold in blitz chess, while Daryl Unix Samantila and John Michael Magpily annexed the boys’ title.

Samantila also bagged the secondary boys’ individual title, but Fide master Antoinette San Diego of Calabarzon averted spoiled the NCR domination by claiming the secondary girls play for her third Palaro gold.

Elementary blitz chess—Me Ann Joy Baclayon, Northern Mindanao (girls’ individual), Baclayon and Loberna Li Carrasco, NM (team event); Daniel Quizon, Calabarzon (boys’ individual), Quizon and Michael Concio, Calabarzon (team).
Athletics—Secondary girls’ shot put: Shanelle Siasoyco, CV, 10.35m; Secondary girls’ long jump: Rosemarie Olorvida, EV; Elementary boys’ triple jump: Jayson Jabol, Bicol.