Cebu in gold medal rush at PRISAA Regional tilt

DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines  – The formidable Cebuano athletes swept all golds available in the first day of athletics competition in the 2009 Private Schools Athletic Association(PRISAA) Regional Meet at the new rubberized track oval of the Lamberto C. Marcias Sports Complex here.

Linley Fran Navaja, an honoree during last week’s 27th SAC-SMC All-Cebu Sports Awards emerged as the meet’s fastest man by topping the century dash and 200m run. The University of Cebu (UC) trackster clocked in a personal best of 10.62 seconds to win the 100m run.

Jefferson Querubin also handed a double gold via the shotput and discus throw events, while Irin Baluran also of UC got the triple jump’s gold with a distance of 11.31 meters.

Angelica Lado, although already with the national weightlifting team, continued to compete in her first love and she did not fail as she reigned supreme in women’s shot put.

Cebu’s other top tracksters who performed remarkably at the start of the four-day sports conclave were Lera de la Calzada (women’s 100m run), Ryanzel Legamo and Sheena Gacayan (800m run), Dharl Pitogo and Almira Gay Sadaya (100m hurdles), Jorge Pinanonang (400m run), and Ernesto Ybanez (men’s triple jump).

So far, PRISAA-Cebu hauled 13 golds, 10 silvers and a bronze, conceding only a silver and three bronzes to Bohol.

Cebu’s swimmers, however, were not so dominant at the pool, fishing out only three golds, four silvers, and two bronzes at the Lorenzo Teves Memorial Aqua Center. The golds came from John Solon in the 100m freestyle, Gwencent Canada in the 200m breast stroke, and Pete Guno in the 200m backstroke.   (THE FREEMAN)