Niños’ Dela Calzada, Navaja complete sprint sweep in CVIRAA athletics meet

ORIENTAL NEGROS — The Dancesport Capital of Asia failed to score a sweep of the gold medals in dancesport even as National Youth Open gold medalist Lera Dela Calzada of the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters completed a rare-triple as teammate Lindley Fran Navaja was named Spring King in the athletics event of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet here.

Bets from Cebu City, dubbed as Dancesport Capital of Asia, failed to defend its two championship title in the dancesport event, winning only the gold medals in the elementary division.

The victory, however, came rather hard for the Niños as they had to go through as tie-breaker before getting the gold.

Siblings Renzon and Reyana Elarcosa won the gold for Cebu City over bets from Danao in the final deliberation of the judges, who came from all the participating delegations.

A tandem from Tanjay City wound up third.

Niños Divina Llamosa and Virgilio Legarde, for their part, grabbed the modern standard title over Tanjay and Mandaue, respectively.

The biggest upset was in the secondary level, with Tanjay and Mandaue, taking the gold over Palarong Pambansa champions, Cebu City.

Tanjay’s Rodel Calidguid and Antoinette Bajamunde grabbed the spotlight in the modern standard beating Cebu City’s Claire Mata and Samson Orlanes.

Mandaue’s Jovemar Ababon and Bernalyn Dacayana reigned supreme in the latin dances over Jamil Bacalso and Rhoda Mae Fernandez of Cebu City.

Athletics

Dela Calzada, who won the 100m gold medal in the National Youth Open in Nueva Ecija last year, was at the top of her form yesterday as she pocketed the gold medals in the 100 and 400-meters after winning the gold in the 200m the other day.

Dela Calzada was followed by teammates Allan Lee Uy in 100m and Arielle Famador in the 400m.

Teammate Navaja, on the other hand, also was named Sprint King of the CVIRAA for winning the 100 and 200m races.

The Niños actually scored a 1-2 finish in the 100m finals yesterday with Navaja taking the gold and Dharl Pitogo snatching the silver.

Pitogo, for his part, also clinched the silver in the triple jump. He earlier won the gold in long jump.

Another UC jock, Sheena Gacayan won her second gold medal yesterday after topping the 3,000m race. She was the first gold medal winner of Cebu City in the athletics events, ruling the 1,500m in the first day of competition.

Palarong Pambansa record holder Irene Baluran joined in the elite gold medal winners for topping the long jump as teammate Flores May Fisalbon settled for third.

In the elementary division, the Niños won three gold medals yesterday courtesy of John Rey Teopiz in javelin throw, Maria Lalaine Caballero in long jump and Sarah Mae Napolles in triple jump.

Overall Standing

However, the Niños still made a very comfortable lead in the overall standings both in the elementary and secondary division at the close of six sporting events.

In the secondary division, the Niños accumulated 150 points with 15 points from arnis and dancesport, 30 from badminton and taekwondo and 60 points from swimming.

Mandaue trails at second place with 51.5 points, Dumaguete at third with 49 points, Cebu Province at fourth with 47 points and Bohol at fifth place in an unofficial tally with 19.5 points.

In the elementary level, the Niños lead with 120 points from badminton, swimming, gymnastics and taekwondo.

Dumaguete occupies the second spot with 72 points, Cebu Province at third place with 32 points while the fourth and fifth placers were Danao with 24.5 and Bohol with 23.5 points.

Raquet Sports

Jacob Lagman of Cebu City reaffirmed his status as the best singles player in the elementary division here in Central Visayas after defending his title with ease yesterday.

Lagman scored an 8-0 mark over Fritz Satera in the championship round.

Teammate Niño Siso, on the other hand, also grabbed a championship ticket in the secondary division singles event and hopes to get the gold as his gift to his younger sister, Sally Mae, who turned 13 yesterday.

Sallymae and Sally Dine Siso, who are both playing in the doubles in separate levels, also are eyeing to sustain the momentum and leave the City of Gentle People with a gold each.

In badminton, the Niños grabbed seven golds and five silvers combined from the elementary and secondary division.

Other Events

The Cebu City Ninos saw its women’s artistic gymnastic making up for the defeat of their male counterparts after dominating the last day of competitions with six golds, two silvers and three bronzes. There are still four events left to be competed as of this writing.

In basketball, the young dribbling Niños advanced to the championship round this afternoon after taking away an 83-62 win against Cebu Province.

With the win, the Niños gained a twice-to-beat advantage over the winner between Cebu Province and Dumaguete City.

Its secondary team, on the other hand, recovered from a slow start to win its second game, 84-70, over Mandaue to meet Bohol today.

In children’s baseball, Cebu City bowed to Cebu Province, 3-9.