DUMAGUETE CITY—Olympic-bound athletes like Marestella Torres may opt to just inspire Philippine team aspirants with their presence in the ongoing POC-PSC National Games which got going yesterday.
Asian long jump champion Torres and top swimmer Jhessie King Lacuna are set to compete in the centerpiece events but PSC chair Richie Garcia said the two can decide to stay as observers if they feel their participation would pose a risk to their coming Olympic campaign.
Garcia praised the local government, led by Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, for its excellence in hosting the Games, especially the city’s most popular sports of archery. Dumaguete is the hometown of Olympian archers Mark Javier, Jennifer Chan and Joan Chan Tabañag.
“We congratulate the people of Dumaguete,” said Garcia. “They are prepared and ready for the PNG.”
Sports commissioner Jolly Gomez said they have signed an agreement with their counterparts in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia, inviting them to compete next year in the PNG.
Meanwhile, in gymnastics held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Fortunato Abad IV led the National Capital Region’s onslaught in the men’s artistic gymnastics by taking the all-around event gold medal with 71.519 points, beating teammates Reyland Capellan (67.225) and Mharvin Besa (59.325).
Eugenie Marie Evangelista claimed the women’s gold with 38.8 points, besting Cristine Onofre, who had 32.6 points, and Gayle Marie Arda, who had 26.252.
In the cheerdance competitions, University of Santo Tomas prevailed with 394.5 points, followed by Miriam College (307.5) and University of Asia and the Pacific (260).
HTC Gen. Santos bagged the cheerleading gold with 200 points. Arellano U was second (185) and San Beda Alabang (183) third.
Arellano ruled Group Stunts mixed division with 115 points ahead of UST and University of the East which tallied 110 and 97.5 points, respectively. Salinggawi of UST annexed the Group Stunts all-female title with 96 points, beating Iloilo Shakers (79). Polytechnic University of the Philippines earned 103.5 points to hold sway in the Partner Stunts over Club Gymnastico (87.5) and Iloilo Shakers (68).