Davao runner nets first Palaro gold

LEGAZPI CITY—Mea Gey Ninura of Davao Region stormed to the lead in the third lap and held on against the chasing defending champion to rule the secondary girls’ 3,000-meter run via record-breaking fashion for the first gold in the 2016 Palarong Pambansa here Monday.

It was the 16-year-old Ninura’s first Palaro gold after settling for silver the past two years against Northern Mindanao’s Jie Ann Calis. Ninura clocked 10 minutes and 3.4 seconds to break Calis’ 2015 record of 10:10.16.

Central Visayas’ John Marvin Rafols ruled the secondary boys’ long jump besting Ilocos Region’s Jaymark Gascon, although they both leaped 6.91 meters.
Palaro officials based the final standing on the jumpers’ next best attempt.

Rafols made 6.91m on his sixth and last attempt, but made 6.79m in his fifth. Gascon had 6.91m on his fifth try and 6.59m on his third at Bicol University Albay Sports and Tourism Center.

It was Rafols’ first gold after competing in the Palaro for three years. He pocketed a bronze medal in the triple jump event last year.

Daniella Camonoga gave host province Bicol its first gold after topping the elementary girls’ shot put, while Ronald Lacson of Western Visayas reigned in secondary boys’ javelin throw before play was halted at midday.

“I’m very motivated because of my family. They have financial problems but continue to support me,” said Ninura, a Grade 10 student at Kapatagan National High School in Davao City.

The only child of banana farmers from Digos, Ninura is also competing in 800m and 1,500m, also against Calis.

Calis, who broke three meet records in the Davao del Norte edition last year, actually surpassed her own mark with a 10:07.8 time. She broke down after crossing the finish line, prompting Ninura to halt her victory run to console her.

“This is a great achievement. She finally won over Jie Ann after three years competing against her,” said Ninura’s coach and teacher Maylene Quimque.