PUERTO PRINCESA—The Niños of Team Cebu City hit the jackpot courtesy of the steady hands of archer Aldrener Igot Jr, even as Luzon unveiled an emerging track star in Magvrylle Chrause Matchino Thursday in the Batang Pinoy National Finals at Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex here.
The 14-year-old Igot, a Grade 9 student of Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial National High School, didn’t flinch in the face of pressure and steady drizzle to up his gold medal haul to six in the archery range. He topped the Olympic round on Thursday to add to his earlier victories in the 20m, 30m, 40m, 50 me, and FITA classes.
Traditional archery powerhouse Dumaguete City, the birthplace of Olympian Joan Chan Tabanag, also shone as Naina Dominique Tagle added the Olympic round to her growing gold medal collections. She now has a total of five golds after earlier victories in the 20m, 40m, 50m and FITA.
A resident of Barangay Pasil, Igot’s fairytale journey isn’t over yet. He will compete for the gold medals in the boys’ team and mixed team competitions at the end of archery action Friday.
Beaten by Camarines Sur’s Lheslie De Lima in the 800 meters at the start of the athletics competitions last August 26, Matchino, daughter of an Overseas Filipino Worker in London, bounced back in style as she ruled the girls’ 2000m steeplechase, 1500m and anchored Laguna Province’s twin wins in the 4×100 and 4×400 relays.
‘‘I conquered my fears and my teammates ran very well,’’ said Matchino, a Grade 10 student at the Sinoloan Integrated National High School. She was joined by teammates Janine Dauba, Evita Ruth Belloso and Kyla Eleona in the relays. Shel also got back at De Lima after winning the 1500m in 5:05.
Aaron Gumban of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, another son of an OFW working in Dubai, made his mark in the boys’ division after winning the 5000m run and the 2000m steeplechase.
San Fernando, Pampanga also struck gold courtesy of the 4x100m team of Franz Michael Matos, Marvin Ramos, Andrei Luigi Bautista and Justin Cain Lingat. Gilbert Andrei Velasco of Camarines Sur recorded 13.40m to win the gold in the Boys triple jump, while Baguio City’s Hussein Lorana nipped Renzo Catulay of Negros Occidental ruled the Boys 1500m with a time of 4:23.8.
The Games’ fastest runner was Marc Angelo Daroy of New Washington, Aklan, who clocked 11.4 seconds in the century dash. He nipped John Dave Magtangob of Pasig City, who timed 11.6 seconds. Baguio City’s Krisha Aguillon won the in the Girls 100m dash in 12.7 seconds.
Meanwhiole, Olongapo City won two golds in muay thai courtesy of Elgine Paul Sapao and Gerard Manuel Castillo. Cebu City also got a gold in the Anyo class courtesy of Mary Fhaline Caballero, Crystal Jill Bowman, Clifford Dave Tonilon and Albert John Estrera, while Tacurong City won the Girls non-traditional team open-weapon. Melody Legaspi of Taytay, Rizal won two golds in non-traditional individual 2 and 1 weapons.