CV start slow Calabarzon takes early lead in PRISAA National Games

CEBU, Philippines - Host Central Visayas surprisingly had a lukewarm start in the 2012 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Collegiate Games, allowing Calabarzon to set the early pace with 11 golds, five silvers and three bronzes after the first day of hostilities in the week-long sports conclave at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

Central Visayas is breathing down Calabarzon's neck with seven golds, three silvers and nine bronzes combined from swimming and athletics, while Western Visayas took the temporary third spot with a 5-8-3 medal haul.

Bemedalled tanker Loren Dale Echavez sparked CV's golden assault in swimming after topping the women's 50m and 200m freestyle events. She clocked in 28.06 seconds in the 50m and 2:15.68 in the 200m free.

“My goal is to sweep the gold medals at stake in eight events that I joined in. I believe it's doable especially with the help of my teammates," said the junior BS Biology student from the University of San Carlos (USC).

Echavez's teammate Abegail Sakib contributed gold in the 100m backstroke with the time of one minutes and 16.52 seconds.

Sprinter Lorna Olarita became the region's second double medallist. The student of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) dominated the women's century dash in 12.6 seconds as well as the 400m run in 57.5 seconds.

“I did not expect that I would earn golds today (yesterday) because my opponents also trained hard. I just made use of my pacing techniques and styles," said the 19-year-old Olarita, a triple medallist in last year's Philippine National Games (PNG) held in Zamboanga City.

On the other hand, Ernesto Ybañez from the University of Cebu (UC) earned the distinction as the meet's fastest man after winning the men's 100-meter dash in 11.01 seconds, while Khenly Parcon of USPF handed CV's seventh gold of the day via the 400m run with the time of 49.2 seconds.

Despite CV's slow start, PRISAA regional coordinator Bernard Ricablanca remains upbeat on CV's chances of defending its national title.

“It was a good start for Central Visayas since we placed second in the opening day. We look forward to another positive outcome with our ball games. The high spirit and high moral of the athletes were uplifted because of the opening salvo,” said Ricablanca.

Calabarzon seized the early lead after fishing out 10 out of 16 golds available in swimming competition yesterday, thanks to Rabino Wilson and Jerome Magallanes who swam their way to triple gold medals each.

Magallanes scooped golds in the men’s 100m breaststroke (1:13.4) and 400m individual medley (5:39.86), while Wilson topped men’s 200m freestyle (2:13.99) and 50m free (25.84sec). They later anchored their 200m medley relay team to a golden performance along with Roque Hizola and Julius Rarela (2:02.03).

Jackelyn Orig stole the spotlight after lording it over in women’s 200m butterfly (2:43.16) and 400 IM (5:56.61), while Andrea Fuentes, Cherilyn Jurado, Erleane Medina and Helyna Magallanes capped Calabarzon's swimming dominance with another gold in the women’s 400 freestyle relay (4:51.00).

On the other hand, Edsel Pasaporte turned over a pair of gilts to Western Visayas with victories in the men’s 100m backstroke (1:09.84) and 4x50m freestyle relay (4:08.24).

Davao (Region XI) made its presence felt in athletics, with Michael Ian Constantino and Charito Bajuyo defending their titles in the men’s 1.500m and women’s high jump, respectively.

The 22-year-old Constantino, who is competing under Brokenshire College of Koronadal, South Cotabato, capture the men’s 1.500m gold in 4:01.2, while Bajuyo, who is studying at the University of Mindanao-Davao, cleared 1.58m in securing the women’s high jump gold.

La Salle-Dasmarinas bet Jerome Oclaret of Region 4-A likewise retained his men’s shot put crown after heaving the iron ball to a distance of 12.26m, while Jerly Bornales of Western Visayas (Region 6) ruled the women’s 1,500m for the second straight year in (4:57.2). (FREEMAN)