VIGAN CITY—Jason Jabol snared two gold medals in the quickest time possible during Tuesday’s Luzon leg of the 2017 Philippine Sports Commission-Batang Pinoy Games here.
The 14-year-old ruled the boys’ 100-meter dash and long jump just a few minutes apart, setting the tone for another medal-rich campaign for Dasmariñas City in the track and field competitions of the sportsfest designed for athletes 15 years old and younger.
After posting what eventually turned out as a winning leap of 6.18 meters on his first attempt in long jump, Jabol crossed the field and planted himself on the century dash starting block on the way to a spectacular finish at Elpidio Quirino track and field stadium.
Jabol, a ninth grader from Immaculate Conception Academy Dasmariñas City, immediately rushed back to finish his long jump event after clocking 11.35 seconds for the 100m gold.
Claveland Joel Mallari of Makati City (11.52) got the silver and Kharl Berjuela of Muntinlupa City (11.79) took the bronze.
“My two events were held simultaneously,” said Jabol in Filipino, son of a carpenter and ninth among a brood of 10. “I have to run in the 100m after my third attempt in the long jump.”
“Confident that I already won it, I just took a rest on the fourth and fifth jumps.”
Jabol, who captured four gold medals in the elementary division of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa, is following the footsteps of townmate Veruel Verdadero, a three-time Batang Pinoy 100m champion and now a member of the national pool.
Patrick Shane Tolentino of Zambales topped the boys’ high jump (1.73 meters), Mark Anthony Estoya of Pasig City ruled the 2000m walk (11:00.69), Jaspher Delfino of Camarines Sur struck gold in the 5000m boys (17:12.20) and Jan Mervin Francisco of Dasmariñas dominated the boys’ javelin throw (47.79m).
Other gold-medal performers on the track were Charlaine De Ocampo of Dasmariñas City (girls’ 400m hurdles), Janrey Gallano of Cabuyao, Laguna (boys’ 400m hurdles), Kristel Joy Natividad of Tarlac (girls’ 100m) and three-time Alaska Ironkids champion Tara Borlain of Pasig City (girls’ 3000m).
Pangasinan took the sepak takraw doubles event gold courtesy of Jether Guido, Miguel Canto and Joshua Manaot at the expense of Marikina City.
Taguig City pocketed three golds in the kata event of karatedo courtesy of Baby Angel Lamorte (advanced girls 10-11), the trio of Leo Miguel Cuadra, Von Cabug and Kiel Ivon Lavapiez in the 15-under boys’ team and Kristein Apaga, Julia Marcos and Yvone German in the 15-under girls’ team.