QC rules B. Pinoy; Leyte pugs top foes

CEBU CITY—Quezon City crowned itself king of the 2015 POC-PSC Batang Pinoy National Finals even as Leyte Sports Academy evolved into a force in boxing at the end of the Games late Wednesday.

Leah Catarinen (girls’ light pin weight), Ramil Pingol (light paperweight) and Grycil Puso (girls’ paperweight) struck gold for Leyte, which also bagged one silver medal and a bronze from boys’ pin weight Milenino Anduyan and Nathalie Jheian Olis (girls’ paperweight).

The three host cities—Cebu, Mandaue and Danao—joined forces with Cebu province in their attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for the biggest arnis class of 5,000 performers during the closing ceremonies at Cebu City Sports Complex.

Russian sports officials Dmirty Glushko, president of the Children of Asia International Sports Games, and secretary general Sergei Khatylykov attended the closer with Philippine Olympic Committee officials Celia Kiram of pencak silat, Romy Magat of tennis and commissioner Jolly Gomez of the Philippine Sports Commission.

“It shows that we have a good program. These medals will inspire us to do an even better job next year,” said LSA boxing coach Nelson Factoranan, a former national pool member, referring to Leyte’s golden output in the ring.

Cagayan De Oro also pocketed three gold medals as well as General Santos City but neither had silver nor bronze.

Overall, Quezon City collected 57 golds, 58 silvers and 32 bronzes built on its 29 gold medals in swimming during the week-long Games created primarily to discover the best talents available in the under-15 age bracket.

With over 4,000 children participating, Baguio tallied 41-14-34 in 22 sports and Cebu City, last year’s overall champion, dropped to third with 28 gold, 14 silver and 34 bronze medals.