Robles, CBM bets shine in Laguna swimfest

CEBU, Philippines - Differently-abled Cebuana swimmer Bea Robles stood proud and tall despite her height deficiency as she won gold in her debut in the G-League National Long Course and Age-Group Swimming Championships, even as her mother team Cebu Blues Marlins (CBM) hauled four golds, five silvers, and five bronzes yesterday at the Trace Aqua Sports Complex in Los Baños, Laguna.

Roble, thus, proved she is worthy of a slot in the national team for differently-abled athletes.

Competing under the PWD-Dwarf category, Roble snatched her first gold in the 50m butterfly event.

CBM of coach Rolando Alvarez, on the other hand, stole part of the limelight in the two-day tilt with four golds, two of which coming from Cebu Eastern College ’s Lyh Ann Navarro via the 50m and 100m butterfly events.

Lyh Ann’s brother, Anthony Linn, bagged a gold in 400m individual medley, a silver in the 100m backstroke and a bronze in the 400m freestyle.

CBM’s fourth gold was produced by FBC Christian School ’s Michael Ichiro Kong, who topped the 100m freestyle. He also got a silver in the 50m freestyle.

University of Cebu ’s Paula Abigail Vega seized silver in the 50m butterfly and two bronzes in the 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle. Noel Caneda grabbed a bronze in the 100m butterfly.

Labangon Elementary School ’s Karen Mae Indaya handed a silver in the 50m butterfly and a bronze in 100m butterfly, while University of Southern Philippines-Foundation’s Danielle Mae Ballesteros picked up a silver in 200m breaststroke. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol   (THE FREEMAN)