Manila captures track title

Manila claimed three more gold medals to win the overall crown in athletics even as Kevin Acosta copped badminton’s first gold medal yesterday in the second Manila Youth Games National Invitational at the San Andres Gym.

Acosta overcame some anxious moments before turning back Muntinlupa City’s Boris Sumabat, 21-17, 17-21, 21-17, and snaring the badminton gold medal in the 8-and-under division.

Ireland Largoza made it a golden double for Manila by beating sister Greece in the finals of the women’s side of the event.

After outclassing the opposition in the first two days of athletics, Manila came away with another three-gold medal romp through sprinters Rogimar Umingan, Rolando de Ramos and Sheryl Bajar as the Big City bets ran away with the track and field overall title.

Umingan ruled the 50-meter dash for 12-and-under in 6.9 seconds, de Ramos reigned in the 200m dash for the 16-17 years old in 22.9 and Bajar topped the 50m dash for 12-and-under in 7.4.

It was de Ramos’ third gold medal as he joined Michelle Barrameda of Quezon City and barefoot wonder Rhealyn Pascua of Candon City in the elite group of triple gold medal winners.

De Ramos also ruled the 100m and 400m events.

Barrameda, for her part, copped the sprint double and 400m run in the 17-and-under division while the 12-year-old Pascua pulled off golden efforts in the 100m, baseball throw and, most recently, long jump.

Pascua, who upstaged the rest despite running barefoot, also won four silver medals in 4x400m, 4x100m, discus throw and 50m dash and a bronze in 200m dash.

The meet is presented by Converse and supported by San Miguel Corp., Tanduay, Pagcor with Super Ferry and Milo, Landbank, Metrobank, Procter and Gamble, Globe Telecoms, Spurway Enterprises, Jex Nylon Shuttles, STI-Taft, PLDT My DSL, Aktivade, Isuzu Manila, Intra Sports and Concept Movers.