Baguio closes in on POF crown

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Baguio struck in three contact sports and archery yesterday as it closed in on the overall title with a day to go in the Central Northern Luzon Qualifying Games of the second Philippine Olympic Festival at the Elipidio Quirino Stadium here.

Buoyed by its 20-gold haul in arnis, Baguio struck with 13 gold medals in judo, five in archery and wrestling and two in muay to hike its total to 53 gold, 42 silver and 33 bronze medals, or way ahead of closest pursuer Pangasinan with a 25-14-16 haul.

La Union unleashed a 10-gold splurge on the strength of triple gold medalists Paula Isabel Ordono and Arabelle Maron in the opener of the two-day pool competitions to move up to third place with a 20-17-14 harvest.

Bulacan was at third with 17-9-9 while Ilocos Norte, which dominated last week’s Ilocos Region Athletic Association (IRAA) Games, was at fourth with 13-10-11 in this event backed by The Philippine STAR, My Vigan Home Hotel, Globe, AMA, Accel, Asia Brewery, Absolute, Negros Navigation and Creativity Lounge.

Ordono splashed her way to victories in 100-meter breaststroke, 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley for 11-12 years old while Maron had golden swims in the 100m, 50m freestyle and 200m IM for 15-and-over to lead La Union’s charge at the pool.

Veronica Llantada (70kg), Francis Dave Rillera (55), Julio Elias De Lenio (100), Karl Banganan (90), Saldon Caoile (81), Brenth Bilalat (66), Jerome Cayatog (60), Olivia Lapurga (78), Jhona Dewalan (78), Annie Carmel Comising (63), Johana Taynan (57), Clarence Onanat (52), Illy Glacia Cudao (48) topped their respective classes.

Rillera and Llantada won the ippon trophies to cap Baguio judokas’ scintillating effort. The only two that slipped in judo were the gold medals copped by Ariane Cawed in 100kg and Julio Elias Beng in 73kg.

Jay Olod (lightweight), Johnny Bitaga (light welterweight), Jason Sanwangin (light fly), Alvin Velasco (fly) and Clint Annawe (bantam) delivered the muay gold while Aliyah Bedejimi, Sarah Lopez, Marlyn Osias, Gabriela Feliz Perez and Joshua Mangomoc provided the archery wins.

Nueva Ecija, however, ruled archery with six gold medals courtesy of two from Jervin San Mateo and one each from Marilyn Osias, Aaron dela Cruz, Cathleen Francisco and Mhel Ryan Aquino.

Jayson Balabal and Kevin Quitola contributed a gold medal each in the 84-kilogram and 46-50kg weight class of muay, a martial arts sports that originated from Southeast Asian Games rival Thailand.

Ifugao proved the best among the rest in the event after it raked in six gold medals on victories by Johanna Pinao-an (55kg), Jovelyn Gumidli (59kg), Gregorio Tobiagon (55kg) and Samson Guimbungan (60kg), Bonifacio Gumongot (66kg) and Gaspar Bulintao (74kg).