Batang Pinoy: Manila archers, Laguna tankers steal limelight

NAGA CITY—Manila archers Bianca Roxas-Chua Gotuaco and Luis Gabriel Moreno were right on target even as Laguna swimmers Catherine Bondad and Ariana Herranz netted two more gold medals Sunday in the Batang Pinoy 2011 at the Metro Naga sports complex.

Gotuaco, a 14-year-old freshman from the International School, prevailed in the girls’ double Fita 18-meter individual and the Olympic Round to bolster her chances of becoming the youngest Olympian for the country in next year’s London Games.

“It’s hard to explain my feelings right now. But I’m very thankful to my mom and to my coach for the support and understanding,” said Gotuaco, who had 553 points in the 18m singles and then beat Caitlin Miciane in the Olympic round final, 6-2.

Moreno, who bagged the most number of golds with five in this year’s Philippine National Games in Bacolod, ruled the boys’ double Fita 18m individual (554) and the Olympic round by outshooting Karl Kristoan Mari, 7-3.

A grandson of veteran actor and TV host German Moreno, he scored a perfect 30 points in the final end of the 30-arrow shootout.

But there was no stopping the two Laguna swimmers who both raised their golden haul to five each.

This early, the 13-year-old Bondad and Herranz, 15, are at the forefront of the race for the most outstanding athlete which dangles a scholarship at the St. Edmund’s College in London and tickets to the London Games next year.

Bondad, the pool wonder from San Beda Alabang and the Palaro MVP for the past two years, dominated the girls’ 12-13 100-meter freestyle and 100m butterfly. Herranz, a high school sophomore at Trace College, ruled the girls’ 14-15 200m free and 50m backstroke.

They garnered three golds each during the first day of competitions last Saturday.

In track and field, John Noel Huerta, who almost failed to make it here due to lack of transportation money, snared his second gold, this time in the boys’ triple jump with a leap of 12.53m. Last Saturday he won the long jump despite arriving here just one hour before the competition started.

Jessica Salazar also nailed a second gold in triathlon as she anchored a Laguna quartet that also included Gene Elbert Paguia, Mariah Garcia and Isaiah Miguel Dizon in the mixed relay race.

The new event had the four athletes alternately competing in the 250m swim, 5K bike and 1.2K run. Salazar annexed the individual plum in her division also Saturday.

Also nailing victories in athletics were Baguio City’s Agustina Anganayon in the girls’ 1,500m (5:15.26), Steffany Flores in the girls’ 1,500m walk (9:50.15) and Regan Contic in discus throw (43.15m).

National Capital Region also produced two wins through Stephanie Santiago in the girls’ discus throw (26.65m) and Garry Santiago in the boys’ javelin (42.25m). Francis Nhel Acedillo of Visayas ruled the boys’ 1,500m (4:25.61 seconds).

Meanwhile, swimmer Mica Buna suffered a concussion after a bad fall Saturday night at their billeting area and had to be rushed to the hospital. She was later discharged after going through an x-ray procedure through the support of Standard Insurance, a company owned by Philippine Sailing Association president Ernesto Echauz.