QC dominates Macapagal shootfest

Quezon City’s promising shooters bagged seven gold medals to nose out Tagaytay City for the team crown in the first Macapagal National Youth Shooting Championships last weekend at the PNSA range at the Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

Jebert Palma, son of NYDP (National Youth Development Program) vice chair/operations Tito Palma, scored QC’s first gold in air pistol (bench rest), but it was Dianne Nicole Eufemio’s two-gold romp in air pistol, including the open category, that clinched the title for national shooter Mei Concepcion’s QC squad over Tagaytay, which collected six golds.

“I take my hats off to our shooters,” said QC Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista when told of the good news. “They made our city proud. I’m confident they’d improve more and eventually become international campaigners.”

Another son of Palma – Jason who studies at UST – also copped a gold medal by whipping Migi Jayme, 380.4 – 318.4, in the air rifle event of the tourney supported by Thermax, Pagcor and Spring Cooking Oil.

The other men’s winners were Simon Karl Gonzales, Mark Edward Amon and Bilymar Egido in air pistol team, Gonzales, air pistol including open category, Sammy Mohamed, Jenrei Rodriguez and Jason Palma in air rifle team, Michael Nanquil, Jynoel Seva and Alejandro Guimayen in air rifle (bench rest) team, Jayson Valdez in air rifle (bench rest) singles and Santino Hermoso in air rifle (open category).

The women’s competition was highlighted by the exciting duel between Shanin Gonzales and NYDP chair Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla’s daughter Mica of Assumption College (Makati) in air pistol (open category). Gonzales eventually won 427.7-426.6 after holding off Mica Padilla’s spirited rally in the finals.

Winners in other women’s events were Gonzales, Kamilla Sumagui and Angel Cabrera (air pistol team), Alyanna Chuatoco (air pistol bench rest), Gonzales (air pistol open), Irish and Charisse Palma and Maria Isabelle Eufemio (air rifle team) and Priscilla Anne Calura ( air rifle bench rest).

PSC commissioner Jose Mundo and Padilla lauded the participants during the awarding ceremony.

Padilla said NYDP already has names for the national training pool but another qualifying event will be held to determine the RP team members for the Southeast Asian championships later this year.