PNG Mindanao: Pagadian bets shine

PAGADIAN CITY—Christian Paul Anor and Shermalyn Jalmaani dominated the swimming competition while Pagadian City’s Michelle Ann Sampang and Marianie Llogono bagged the first athletic golds at the start of the POC-PSC Philippine National Games Mindanao eliminations on Friday.

Outshone by Manila’s Maurice Sacho Ilustre in the Palarong Pambansa held in Tagum, Lanao del Norte last May, Anor topped all his six events at PGC Sports Arena pool.

The 16-year-old pride of Balanga, Davao Oriental, ruled the 400-meter freestyle in four minutes and 31.43 seconds before prevailing in the 200m backstroke (2:20.94), 100m freestyle (56.31), 200m free (2:10.36), 100m back (1:05.40) and 1,500m free (18:22.41).

Jalmaani, the youngest daughter of former pool ace Amman Jalmaani, bagged four golds in topping the girls’ 100m free (1:12.77), 50m back (39.09), 200m free (2:38.32) while pacing the Zamboanga City tankers to victory in the 200m medley relay (2:36.48).

Sampang and Llogono, both also of Pagadian, swept the women’s and girls 10,000m races in athletics.