Leyte sports scholars dominate 100-meter dash

DUMAGUETE CITY—Leyte Sports Academy’s Bianca Jane Combate and Shane Avryl Demiao are inseparable in school and while in training.

On Sunday morning during the finals of the 100-meter dash Batang Pinoy Visayas qualifiers here, the girls, who sport identical boyish haircuts, literally showed how close they are when they posted a 1-2 finish.

“We are good friends but in competition we don’t hold back, because she (Demiao) is also good,” said Combate, the reigning Palarong Pambansa century dash champion.

Though both 14 years old, Combate came to LSA months ahead of Demiao, who was valedictorian in grade school.
Both hail from Tacloban.

“We love playing basketball and volleyball,” said Combate, who also bared she and Demiao want to follow the footsteps of LSA alumni Leah Creer and Karen Janario, who are now UAAP standouts.

The 8th graders are expected to go at each other’s throats in the 200m, and then join hands for Leyte Province in the relays.

Cebu Province’s Kyle Kenjie Dahili copped the boys’ 100m gold in 11.88 seconds.

Dahili said he wanted to prove himself after missing the previous edition held in Tagum, Davao, due to lack of funds.
In the pool, Aklan’s Michael Gabriel Lozada, 10, ruled the boys’ 200m backstroke for his third gold medal. He won the 100m IM and the 50m back last Saturday.

Cebu City flexed its muscles in karatedo after Arthur Nicholas Avila and Gabriel Lance Tolero ruled the advanced kata 14-15 and intermediate 14-15, respectively.