PRISAA Regional meet 2005: Cebu nails 3 more titles

Fancied bets of host Cebu suffered contrasting fates in the medal-rich athletics competition even as three more team championship titles were won in the 2005 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Regional Meet in various venuers here.

The host claimed yesterday the championship title in badminton, table tennis and volleyball to add to the swimming title, which they snatched the other day.

National PRISAA 2005 gold medallist Janice Ann Bautista of University of Cebu (UC) lead the Cebuanos campaign in the track and field as she clinched the gold medals in the 100m low hurdles, 400m hurdles and high jump.

But not after the host suffered crucial defeats in the men's 800m race when defending champion Michael Ken Lopez withered in the stretch to yeild his throne to Raulito Generalao of Bohol.

Lopez lead in most part of the race but Generalao managed to sneak in the last 75 meters to grab the title, clocking 2 minutes and 6 seconds as against the time of 2:07.10, which was submitted by the Cebu bet.

The victory in the distaff side also went to Bohol with Genalyn Jaum leaving behind Sarah Mae Abucay of University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF).

Bohol also claimed the gold medal in the men's high jump courtesy of Edwin Leparto, who cleared 1.65 meters with the silver going to Marlone Sabellon of UC, also with 1.65m.

The visitors also clinched the gold medals in triple jump for women behind Joann Magdugo who was unopposed and discus throw for men with Jonas Acierdo.

The Cebu bets who claimed 15 of the 20 gold medals staked yesterday were Anthony Santillan and Jaivee Vergara of UC (200m), Christy Sevilleno of UC (3,000m), Mendel Lopez of USPF (10,000m), Eden Dampos of SWU (3K walk), Jeppy Lumongsud of UC (10K walk), Harren Melendez of USPF (110 and 400m hurdles), Edward Encontro of UC (triple jump), Jefferson Querubin of USJ-R (shot put) and Angelica Lado of USJ-R (shot put and discus throw).

Volleyball

The host made an impressive sweep of the championship titles in the volleyball event held at the Univeristy of San Carlos Main gym.

Powered by USJ-R, the men's team extracted sweet revenge over Oriental Negros, who denied then the championship crown last year.

The home bets dethroned the defending champions in straight sets, 25-12, 25-10, 25-14.

The victory of the men's squad was duplicated by the women's when they also unseated defending champion Foundation University, representing Oriental Negros, 23-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-17, 15-10.

Table Tennis

In table tennis, the host leaned on the tandem of UC and USJ-R to contribute two more gold. The combined forces of the Motel brothers-Emmanuel and Michael, Jay and John Conrad Impuesto and Glendo Nayre proved too much to handle for for OrNeg and Bohol.

OrNeg ended with the silver and Bohol with the bronze.

In the distaff side, USJ-R's Gloria Belandres, Diseree Enriquez, Angelica Remo, Diane Ramos and Joy Tesaluna defeated their lone opponent, Bohol.

Badminton

At the UV gym, PRISAA-Cebu swept all six golds medals at stake.

UC's Hazel Peroy won the single's A competition over Mary Joy Piñero of Silliman University while Peroy's teammate Irish Olofernes outplayed Chriselle Sanico.

USJ-R's Flora May Armecin and Kara Melanie Montejo, for their part, won the doubles match over S.U.'s Darlene Bokingkito and Carmel Regencia.

In the men's side, Ian Mendez also of USJ-R dumped S.U.'s Al Bhinglen Yee in the singles A and UV's Gabriel Suico won the singles B over Emerson Karaan of Holy Name University.

The tandem of Jan Spyro Mijares and Solito Flores disposed S.U's John Ray Jao and Lord Darylle Cal.

Basketball

The UC cagebelles are all left for PRISAA-Cebu in the basketball event after the UV Lancers withdrew their participation for unknown reasons.

Tournament manager Danny Duran told The Freeman that the Lancers informed him of their withdrawal a night before yesterday's battle.

Without the powerhouse UV Lancers, it's a two-way battle between OrNeg and Bohol, same with the women's class.

The UC cagebelles buried Bohol its first encounter, 122-48 and is expected to perform the same in today's final action at the Cebu Coliseum.