2 archers find mark in Palaro

KARL Kristian Mari: Right on target. PHOTO BY ROMY HOMILLADA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Bianca Roxas-Chua Gotuaco of the National Capital Region and Karl Kristian Mari of Central Visayas pulled off record-breaking wins in archery yesterday even as NCR sustained its excellence in swimming halfway through the 2012 Palarong Pambansa here.

Gotuaco, who bagged five gold medals in last year’s Philippine National Games, won four times in the girls’ high school category, including the 60-meters where she scored 302 points to surpass the previous high of 300 by Febenly Encabo of Region 9 last year.

The 14-year-old freshman from International School-Manila, who has competed and trained extensively in the United States, also prevailed in the 50-meter, 30m and Single Fita at the Capitol Resort Hotel here.

Mari, also 14 and a sophomore from St. Louis College in Dumaguete, smashed three Palaro records en route to winning as many gold medals.

He triumphed in the boys’ HS 50 meters with 313 points to beat last year’s score of 300 by Julian Sebastian Teves then improved by two the old mark in the 30 meters with 333 points. His third mark came in the 40 meters with 324, way past the 311 set by the same Teves last year in Dapitan City.

“I’m very happy because this is my first Palaro in the high school division,” said Mari from Bagacay, Dumaguete, who also dabbles in mixed martial arts and will also see action in the 50m and 60m in the next few days.

Delia Cordero also grabbed the limelight by accounting for one of four NCR swim golds yesterday at the Dagupan pool after setting two records late Tuesday.

Her new marks came in the high school girls’ 200-meter butterfly  mark with a time of 2 minutes 26.16 seconds and in the 200m medley relay where she spearheaded her team to victory in 2:09.09, erasing the 2008 mark of 2:09.30 by another NCR squad.

Her latest gold came in the high school girls’ 200 individual medley where she beat young teammate Catherine Bondad. Kristine Bartolome (girls’ HS 200m breaststroke), Alberto Batungbacal (boys’ HS 200m back) and Raisa Gavino (girls’ elementary 50m breast) also turned in golden performances for NCR.

Jose Mari Arcilla of Calabarzon set a new mark in boys’ elementary 200 IM with a time of 2:25.86, shattering the 2005 record (2:26.75) of Banjo Borja.

At the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, Perlita Ynot  of NCR clinched her second gold by topping the high school girls’ triple jump. Just before play was halted for the midday recess, Ynot, who won the long jump Tuesday, leaped to 11.28 meters for the win.

NCR also picked up three golds in the 200 meters through  Emmanuel Gutierrez  (elementary boys), Roda Maullon (HS boys) and Maureen Emily Schrijvers (HS girls).

WV picked up four more gold medals from athletics with Jealyn Lancita and Ezel Divinagracia turning in golden performances in high school girls’ and elementary girls’ 400m hurdles, respectively. Ailyn Tumbali, who settled for the  girls’ triple jump silver, finally struck gold in the long jump, while Joycie Beranio ruled the elementary girls’ 200m.

Calabarzon’s John Rey Noreno was fastest in the boys’ high school 3,000m steeplechase with a time of 9:53.8, beating Mimaropa’s Jose Mari Jovelo (9:55.8).

Calabarzon and Western Visayas grabbed two golds each at the start of  arnis competition also at the NRSCC. Region 4-A’s Mark Andrew Orcena topped the boys’ elementary anyo individual single weapon, and Jessi Cabano-Ang winning the girls’ elementary side.

Crystal AJ Bartonico copped the high school girls’ anyo individual single weapon, while John Lloyd Salazar and Jasper Jake Daliva dominated the anyo team double identical weapon for WV.

Maximo Caballes Jr. of Region 7 held sway in the HS boys’ anyo individual single weapon.