National Open: Tac, Valdez on target

MANILA, Philippines—Even with little preparation, Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla still proved he’s more than equal to the challenge.

Away from the firing range for more than a week to look after his ailing father, Padilla still displayed sharp form to rule the 25-meter center fire pistol event Sunday in the 2011 PNSA National Open Championships at the PSC-PNSA Shooting Range in Fort Bonifacio.

Padilla, who accompanied his Olympian father, Tom, in Singapore where he sought treatment before the tournament, tallied 563 points to best the likes of Robert Donalvo (551) and Patrick Chuasoto (546).

“It was a tough and exciting match, but I struggled early because I arrived only last Friday. I had to be with my father,” said Padilla, who will be seeing action in the Southeast Asian Games for a record 17th time in Indonesia next month.

“But I have a lot of catching up to do in terms of preparation. We have to prepare hard for the SEA Games.”

Teenage sensation Jayson Valdez also shone in the event held under the auspices of Philippine National Shooting Association president Mikee Romeo and presented by Harbour Centre and AirAsia.

A week after losing in the 10m air rifle, the 15-year-old Valdez bounced back in the 50m rifle prone on the strength of a final-round surge that boosted him past the multititled Emerito Concepcion.

Valdez and Concepcion fired similar 576 points, but the teenager scored a 96 in the final string, three better than the veteran.

Rocky Padilla wound up third with 571 points.

Franes Nicole Medina hit perfect scores in the final two rounds to nip Inna Therese Gutierez in the women’s 50m Rifle Prone.

Medina collected 579 points to take the crown over the SEA Shooting Association championships silver medallist by four points.

SEA Games-bound Shanin Gonzales topped the 25m rapid fire pistol, veteran Carolino Gonzales grabbed the 50m pistol title, and Donalvo ruled the 25m rapid fire pistol.

Nat’l Open: Tac, Valdez on target
By Cedelf P. Tupas
EVEN with little preparation, Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla still proved he’s more than equal to the challenge.
Away from the firing range for more than a week to look after his ailing father, Padilla still displayed sharp form to rule the 25-meter center fire pistol event Sunday in the 2011 PNSA National Open Championships at the PSC-PNSA Shooting Range in Fort Bonifacio.
Padilla, who accompanied his Olympian father, Tom, in Singapore where he sought treatment before the tournament, tallied 563 points to best the likes of Robert Donalvo (551) and Patrick Chuasoto (546).
“It was a tough and exciting match, but I struggled early because I arrived only last Friday. I had to be with my father,” said Padilla, who will be seeing action in the Southeast Asian Games for a record 17th time in Indonesia next month.
“But I have a lot of catching up to do in terms of preparation. We have to prepare hard for the SEA Games.”
Teenage sensation Jayson Valdez also shone in the event held under the auspices of Philippine National Shooting Association president Mikee Romeo and presented by Harbour Centre and AirAsia.
A week after losing in the 10m air rifle, the 15-year-old Valdez bounced back in the 50m rifle prone on the strength of a final-round surge that boosted him past the multititled Emerito Concepcion.
Valdez and Concepcion fired similar 576 points, but the teenager scored a 96 in the final string, three better than the veteran.
Rocky Padilla wound up third with 571 points.
Franes Nicole Medina hit perfect scores in the final two rounds to nip Inna Therese Gutierez in the women’s 50m Rifle Prone.
Medina collected 579 points to take the crown over the SEA Shooting Association championships silver medallist by four points.
SEA Games-bound Shanin Gonzales topped the 25m rapid fire pistol, veteran Carolino Gonzales grabbed the 50m pistol title, and Donalvo ruled the 25m rapid fire pistol.

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