Santos, Alsa emerge PRISAA top tracksters

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Davao’s Ernesto Alsa and Katherine Kay Santos of the Cordilleras Autonomous Region emerged as the top men’s and women’s bets at the close of athletics in the PRISAA Collegiate National Games at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex here.

A fourth-year student at the University of Mindanao, Asla, 22, added a silver in 4x100 and a bronze in the 4x400-meter relays to go with two golds that he won in the 200 and 400-meter races earlier.

But Santos’ bid for a fourth straight gold was foiled by a fast Western Visayas quartet in the 4x100 women’s relays.

After WV’s third runner Avegil Baclas gave her squad a considerable lead, Santos, who ran the anchor leg, tried to overtake Jaycel Casabuena but eventually finished a meter behind the frontrunner as CAR settled for the silver medal in 50.3 seconds. WV took the gold with a winning time of 50.2 seconds.

“I gave it all but Wwest Visayas was too far pff after the third leg,” said the 20-year-old University of Baguio bet, who earlier won the 100, triple jump and long jump golds.

Region 7 stamped its class in the final day of athletics with wins by Geralito Boligao in the men’s javelin throw (52.43), Mary Joy Tabal in the women’s 10,000 meters (52.43) and Lorna Olaret in the women’s 400-low hurdles of the event sponsored by Globe, Zamboanga Apparel, Radio Mindanao Network and Zamboanga Apparel.

Region 11’s Anthony Nerza ruled the men’s 10,000 meters (32.27.6) while Region 4-A and Region 1 took the men’s 4x100 and 4x400 relays, respectively.

Badminton was a windfall for Central Visayas, which ruled all but one of the seven events in the sport.

Clint Armamento and Mary Rose Montebon led the CV onslaught with a sweep of the men’s and women’s individual crowns.

John Roy Densing and James Rizon combined for the men’s doubles title while teammates Nessie Benitez and Jewel Collanat topped the distaff side before the CV bets ended the day with another sweep of the men’s and women’s team events.

Region 9’s Jackie Lyn Rodriguez and Reynald Quiben prevented a total badminton shutout by bagging the mixed doubles gold.

Taekwondo action also saw the CV jins garner four golds through finweight Lord Jay Guia, bantamweight Richard Caingles, women’s flyweight Mary Ann Espina and women’s featherweight Karen Joy Fontanilla.

The Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) had a pair of taekwondo winners in flyweight Billy Joe Soria and featherweight Harold Martinez.

In boxing, CAR captured two of the golds up for grabs with bantamweight David Pacray outpointing Region 9’s Jayson Borleo and lightweight Glicerio Catolico, son of national coach Boy Catolico, subduing Region 11’s Christopher Saron.

Lightflyweight Dan Lou Codilla of Region 7 beat Region 9’s Alvin Cantao, flyweight Nico Tayo of Region 9 topped Region 11’s Jolan Bungahoy, light welterweight Diony Balute of Region 5 subdued Region 11’s Jay-Ar Inson by retirement and welterweight Lamberto Catipay Jr. outboxed Region 5’s Jastone Bornilla in the other championship bouts.

CAR also struck a gold mine in judo with seven while Region 11 had six as the two contingents dominated the event.

The CAR champions were Emerette Domeriz in the men’s -73kg., Nazareno Reyes (-80kg), Hilario Fiaccayao (-90kg.), Alvin Ragupo (-100kg); Riza Tucay in the women’s -45kg, Maricel Awian (-57kg) and Mariel Ramirez (-63kg).

The Region 11 winners were Edyson Cantero in the men’s -55kg., Diones Romen (-60kg); Catherine Roldan in the women’s -48-kg, Edna Panes (-57kg), Candida Apostol (-70kg), C. Enejade (-76kg) and Trina Mae Nadegan (-78kg).