Aurora bets steal show in athletics

An 11-year-old who wasn’t even supposed to compete in the boys’ long jump made short work of his opponents yesterday as the centerpiece event of athletics graced the third day of competition in the second Manila Youth Games at the Rizal Memorial track oval.

Marron Eli Versosa of Aurora Aquino Elementary School pushed himself to the limit and won the gold with a jump of 4.04 meters on his third attempt. Mark Henry Roxas of Albert Elementary School won the silver at 3.73 while Paul Jayson Gonzales of Lakandula took the bronze at 3.26.

"Hindi po dapat ako kasali sa long jump. Pinasali lang ako ng coach namin dahil kulang daw kami sa athletes. First time ko po ito," said Versosa, a lanky but fair-skinned student who is also tipped to do well in the boys’ 400 and 1,500 meters later in the afternoon.

Winning a second gold for Aurora was Eden Sendiong in the girls’ 12-under shot put. She threw the metal ball 5:38 meters to frustrate Helena Integne of St. Scholastica’s (5.24) and Joy Regillas of Albert (4.82).

Versosa and Sendiong both won in the 12-under category of the event reserved for the Manila’s young athletes.

St. Scholastica’s College also won two of the 11 golds at stake in the first day of athletics with Elelaine Boquiren ruling the girls’ 13-15 long jump and Beatriz Atienza taking the gold in the girls’ 15-under javelin unopposed — being the lone entry.

Mediamen, however, were prevented from interviewing Boquiren and Atienza, said to be a relative of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, by a school official. "Magpakita muna kayo ng ID ninyo bago niyo sila ma-interview. Di ba S.O.P. (standard operating procedure) yan?" he demanded.

Albert Elementary School won the gold in the boys’ 12-under shot put courtesy of Elcid Cuyugan, a bronze medalist in last year’s Batang Pinoy with a heave of 9.70 meters. His teammate, Dennis Dytuco, took the silver (6.60) and Regie del Rosario of Magat Salamat School the bronze (5.05).

Twenty golds will be disputed in athletics today and another 18 tomorrow.

In the boys’ 10-under football, Aurora Elementary School won the gold while Manuel L. Quezon Magat Salamat Elementary taking the silver and bronze, respectively. In the 12-under bracket, Don Bosco Team A took the gold followed by Magat Salamat and Don Bosco Team B while in the 15-under, Mendiola won the gold, District 1 the silver and District 5 the bronze.