Aussie Games medalists to get bonus

BACOLOD City - President Joseph Estrada will hand out cash incentives to three athletes who won gold medals in the recent Pacific Games in the opening ceremonies today of the Millennium Palarong Pambansa here.

To be honored are swimmers Ronald Guiriba and Emmanuel Quilala and gymnast Ana Cruz, who will receive P20,000 each from President Estrada as part of the inaugural rites to be held at the Panaad stadium.

They will be joined by Ma. Angelica Basco, who will receive a Sports for All pin and P10,000 from President Estrada for getting a special citation from the International Olympic Committee.

"Considering that there were 4,000 school athletes from at least 40 countries who took part in the Pacific Games in Sydney, Australia, what Guiriba, Quilala and Cruz did was no mean feat," said Philippine Sports commissioner Monico Puentevella, the head of the Philippine contingent to the meet.

Guiriba, who won the 200-meter freestyle gold medal in record-breaking fashion at the opening day of the Millennium Palaro last Sunday, will actually get a total of P40,000 in incentives.

Aside from winning 50-meter butterfly gold, Guiriba also bagged a silver in the 100-meter butterfly and was a member of the relay squad that took the bronze in the 4x50-meter freestyle relay.

Quilala, a triple gold medalist in last year's first Batang Pinoy nationals, will receive P30,000 for winning the 100-meter breaststroke plus another bronze in another event.

Gymnast Cruz topped the girls' vault in Sydney for the country's other gold in the Pacific Games.

Fellow gymnasts Therese Aguinalde and Basco will also receive P10,000 each for bagging a bronze medal in the bars and rhythmic events, respectively.

To be given P5,000 each are swimmers John Uy, Bryle Tayco and Ryan Sia, who were members of the relay team that won the bronze medal.