CEBU CITY—Sprinter Veruel Verdadero, cyclist Aaliyah Ricci Mataragnon and jumper Gianeli Gatinga grabbed the spotlight yesterday in the 2015 POC-PSC Batang Pinoy National Finals here.
Counting his victories in the 100m and 200m dash, Verdadero validated his claim as the fastest runner here after anchoring his Dasmariñas City squad to the boys’ 4x100m relay gold.
The 14-year-old eighth grader from Immaculate Conception Academy was awarded most outstanding athlete in athletics along with Gatinga, the Palarong Pambansa triple jump champion who won the long jump, triple jump and the girls’ 4x100m relay along with her Taguig City teammates.
The 15-year-old Mataragnon sped clear of the pack near the end of the course to topple Myra Acedo of Davao and Veronica Deldio of Olongapo for her second gold medal after ruling the girls’ 15-kilometer criterium the other day.
She crossed the line in one hour and one minute, 10 seconds ahead of Acedo and 19 seconds better than the Youth Olympian Deldio in the 38K massed start race held on the coastal roads of Danao.
Other gold performers in cycling were John Rey Buccat of Pangasinan (boys’ road race), Tomas Mojares of Batangas (boys’ criterium), Maritoni Krog of Caloocan (Under-13 girls’ individual time trial) and Jose Manuel Valdivia of Pangasinan (Under-13 boys’ ITT).
Wrestlers Georly Madrazo of Zamboanga (29kg), Carlo Nino Alcalde of Muntinlupa (38kg), Charles Stephen Yap of Davao (32kg), Romy Kent Madjos of Muntinlupa (26kg) and Mark Dave Mabale of Tagum (35kg) also ruled their weight classes.
On the distaff side, Cabuyao City brought home four golds courtesy of grapplers Jemarlyn Ogatia (26kg), Christine Joy Labandan (28kg), Beverly Mariquit (30kg) and Dinzy Kate Flores (40kg).
Anyo arnis became the source of pride for Mandaue, which hauled six gold medals built on the exploits of Roel John Segarra (boys’ individual single weapon), Aljon Lindayao (double weapon) and Myhl Frances Enero (sword and dagger) prior to their victory in team single weapon. Krizel Angana (female individual single weapon) and Mary Jocyl Baritua (sword and dagger) added two more golds.