Bicol lass claims first Palaro gold

KORONADAL – A plucky javelin thrower from Bicol captured Palaro’s first gold medal but powerhouse National Capital Region struck in various fronts early to jumpstart its title retention bid in the 2007 Palarong Pambansa at the South Cotabato Sports Complex here yesterday.

Despite an all-out campaign and repeated warnings against age cheating, seven regions, including NCR, Central Visayas and host Cotabato Region, still filed a protest against a lawn tennis player from Western Visayas, whom they alleged to be overage.

The group asked the Department of Education to have the player undergo medical and dental tests to prove there was no violation of the 13-year-old age limit in the elementary level.

However, Cornelio Pacala, chair of the screening committee, turned down the request, citing "lack of substantial evidence."

Aiza Rosero, who grew up in a rice field in Buya, Goa, Camarines Sur as the eldest of nine children, heaved the javelin to 36.83 meters to bag the first gold medal staked in this annual meet for elementary and high school students and her second after ruling the 2006 edition in Naga City.

"I’m happy that I won here," said Rosero, a 17-year-old graduate at the Camarines Sur Academy, in Filipino.

She made the feat against strong winds that blew over this searing Southern City noted for its vast agricultural land.

"The wind was really strong but I didn’t let it affect my performance," she added.

Western Visayas’ Josie Entrina and Sharmaine Joy Bucaling took the silver and bronze medals with 35.85m and 34.84m throws, respectively.

The Big City bets, however, stamped their class early.

Ronjay Abing reigned supreme in secondary javelin while Mark Cabuga dominated the triple jump in the elementary division.

The Manilans also came out strong in volleyball where they smothered Western Visayas, 25-15, 25-15, and softball where they edged MIMAROPA, 1-0.

NCR, represented by reigning NCAA titlist San Sebastian, also imposed its will in basketball as it came away with two wins, including one over San Beda-led Southern Tagalog A.

Caraga matched NCR’s hot start in basketball, stunning last year’s runner up Western Visayas, 77-69, for its second straight win.

Radjeev Tahil of Zamboanga, meantime, won the secondary triple jump gold medal with a 14-meter leap, beating Eliseo Santos of Cagayan Valley and Dindo Torres of Cotabato, who settled for silver and bronze medals with 13.29m and 13.28m efforts, respectively.

Cabuga registered 11.29m to snare the gold, besting Cotabato Region’s Melmar Atam (10.97m) and Mark Angelo Pusadas (10.81m).