Veterans rule opening PNG action

BACOLOD—Long-distance runner Jho-An Banayag topped the women’s 10,000 meters and Rosie Villarito ruled the shot put of the Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission National Games here.

Banayag, the 2009 Laos Southeast Asian Games marathon champion, clocked 37 minutes and 44.30 seconds at the Panaad track oval, easily beating Ailene Tolentino  (40:59.00) and Cerila Cortel (41:42.90).

An Army private, the 28-year-old Banayag is looking to reclaim her spot in the national team after being suspended for running in a money race less than three months before the Guangzhou Asian Games last November.

“I want to be in the national team again,” said Banayag, whose stint in the CamSur International Marathon last year netted her P125,000 but cost her the national team slot. “I did it because I needed the money.”

Villarito, a Laos SEA Games gold medalist in javelin throw from Bago City, was just as awesome with the iron ball, winning with a throw of 11.26 meters and beating Monalisa Mendez (10.23) and Hanna Erika Sia (9.65).

Palarong Pambansa record-holder Maika De Oro of Bacolod also shared the limelight at the start of competitioin after dominating the girls’ discus throw with a 37.36-meter heave.

The 17-year-old, who set a new Palaro record in Dapitan (40.25), outclassed Twinkle Masilangan (31.73) and Florence Tepstra (30.81) in the week-long tournament sponsored by Smart, Procter and Gamble, Scratch It, Go for Gold and Summit Mineral Water.

Narcisa Atienza won the high jump in 1.75 meters, although the athlete from Rosario, Batangas, failed to break her own national mark of 1.81.

In cheerleading, the University of the Philippines pep squad seized three of four gold medals at stake at the St. John Institute.

Coach Lalaine Perena’s group won the partner stunts and mixed stunts events to earn the right to represent the country in the 6th World Cheerleading Championships set Nov. 26 and 27 in Hong Kong.

Centro Escolar University ruled the all-female stunts gold in the event also backed by the Negros Occidental provincial government, Gatorade, Standard Insurance Inc. Zest Air, Bodivance and Accel.

One of the biggest names in pool, Efren “Bata” Reyes, will see action along with several other top local billiards players in this competition which serves as tryouts for this year’s SEA Games in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the PH dragon boat team was disqualified from the 500-meter event after drifting off its lane due to the strong current at Bantayan Park in Bago City.

The Boracay Guardians won the race with a time of 2:22.31 while the Navy Fleet Marine Team came in second in 2:28.71.