Davao del Norte native rules 5K run in Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg

TAGUM CITY—Aaron Gumban’s golden dream ended in tatters in the previous Batang Pinoy national finals.

The 14-year-old from Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte got his chance for redemption after blazing the trail in the boys’ 5000-meter run on Thursday in the Mindanao qualifying leg of the sportsfest in search of the finest athletes age 15 years old and younger.

“I ran in the finals last year, but didn’t finish the race,” said Gumban in Filipino after topping his event in 17 minutes and 14 seconds to retain the title he captured in the qualifiers in 2018 Oroquieta City.

The Grade 8 long-distance runner from Sto. Tomas National High School injured his foot during the finals in Baguio City last year.

“I’ll come in prepared for the finals, I don’t want to waste this opportunity again,’’ said Gumban, who ruled the same event last week in the Davao Regional Athletic Association meet.

Either Ormoc City or Tagbilaran in Bohol will host the 2020 Batang Pinoy National Finals.

Gumban got off his bunk as early as three hours before the race and defeated Lordy Salpid of General Santos City (19:05.07) and Rome Laviste Jr. of Davao del Sur (19:12.66).

He intends to pull off a hat-trick by winning the steeplechase and 1500m at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex track oval before the meet organized by the Philippine Sports Commission ends Sunday.

Mary Joy Mancera of Davao del Sur shared the spotlight with Gumban after dominating the girls’ discus throw (26.28 meters) while Rona Bacus of Cagayan de Oro asserted herself in the girls’ triple jump (11.01 meters).
Zamboanga City was a force in pencak silat with 13 gold medals, overwhelming South Cotabato and General Santos

City, which collected six gold apiece.

Zamboanga City also showed its might in karatedo with three golds courtesy of Hanica Regino (girls 11-12 intermediate kata) and Jullian Pueblo (boys 12-13 intermediate kata pool A and C).

Duplicating Zamboanga’s feat at the NCCC mall were Mary Geerica Galsing (girls 8-9 intermediate kata), Christian John Borongan (boys 12-13 intermediate kata Pool B) and Marcu Noel Pacapac (boys 8-9 advance kata) for Calamba, Misamis Occidental.

Swimmer John Alexander Talosig increased his gold-medal production to four after besting the field in the boys 13-15 200m freestyle (2:05.43) and 15-under 400m individual medley (5:00.58).

The 14-year-old from Southern Christian College eatlier won the boys 13-15 200m IM (2:19.74) and 15-under 1500m free (17:52.25).