CHED NATIONAL GAMES: Cevees bag 9 golds in Day 1

MANILA , Philippines  - University of Cebu's Dharl Pitogo bagged the first gold of Central Visayas in the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 2010 National Games, which kicked off yesterday here at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Pitogo clocked in 15.07 seconds to lord it over in the men's 100m hurdles of the atletics competition.

It was a memorable day for the 17-year-old sophomore Electrical Engineering student as he was not expecting that he would top the said event since he was just a silver medallist in last year’s Private School Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Meet.

“I was not really expecting that I would win but I’m pretty much determined in because of my teammates, the crowd and for myself as well since this is my first national gold ever. This is a very memorable victory for me,” Pitogo said.

Angelica Lado of the University of San Jose-Recoletos added one gold for Central Visayas via women's shotput. She heaved the iron ball to a distance of 9.92m.

“I just did my best and luckily I was able to make it and retain my title," Lado said.

Francis Berizo settled for bronze in men's shotput (11.79m) as well as Ernesto Ybañez in long jump (6.62) and Eden Diampios in the 5K walkathon (32 minutes and 5.06 seconds).

The bulk of CV's golds came from karatedo with seven. Marie de la Riate of UC, Mary Ann Vergara of UV and April Marie Campo of USJ-R delivered three gilts in the women's team kata bonkai event so as their men's counterparts in Richard Claros of UV, Samuel Orillo and Kim Legarto of UC. De la Riate also clinched a gold in women's individual kata, while Kim Legarto of UC handed over in the men's side.

Swimming

At the aquatic center, Paula Vega of UC could only deliver bronze in the 200m freestyle with a time of two minutes and 25.92 seconds but she’s still happy because she was able to break her personal record.

“I was not really expecting to earn gold in this meet because I’m competing against national team members. What would highly motivate me is to break my own record and I’m glad that I was able to make it,” Vega said.

Vega and her teammates, Mary Gwencent Cañada, Claudine Candia and Majoy Delusa had a silver finish in the 4x50m relay with the time of 27.44 seconds.

Beach Volleyball

Rookies players Mary Luilyn Pacinio and Crystal Buelvan made wonders in the sand courts as they secured two victories in a day.

The impressive tandem of Pacinio and Buelvan trounced Region V, 21-7 and Region III, 21-15.

In the men's bracket, coach Raffy Briones was overwhelmed after his wards Jade Becaldo of the University of the Visayas and Edward Ybañez of University of Southern Philippines Foundation pummeled the equally-tough National Capital Region, 21-15 and Region IV, 21-14.

Over at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym, the Southwestern University-bannered CV vollebelles made an impressive start after clobbering University of Luzon of Region I in dominating fashion, 25-10, 25-4, 25-13.

The Joerem Yu-coached SWU rested on the powerful plays of Lorie May Layno, Danika Gendrauli, Danalie Baquiro, Raphril Aguilar and his two reinforcements from USPF, Erika Camille Verano and Amor Pepito.   (FREEMAN NEWS)