Ynot Jra, Lanuza fan Big City surge

LINGAYEN – Perlita Ynot Jra and reigning regional MVP Michael John Lanuza came up big Saturday as fancied National Capital Region asserted its dominance in athletics in the third Milo Little Olympics National Finals at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here.

Ynot Jra, 16, emerged as the brightest entry in the secondary division, ruling the girls’ long jump and finishing second in the 100-meter sprint, while Lanuza, 15, bagged the gold in the secondary-boys long jump and placed third in the century dash.

Their combined exploits provided the Big City bets a rousing start in the three-day sporting spectacle dubbed as “Hakutan sa Pangasinan” that opened with simple but meaningful ceremonies Friday.

“Event ko talaga ‘yung long jump,” said Ynot Jra, who posted 5.07-meter mark in a tie with Kirstie Kaye Vinco of Visayas. Ynot Jra, however, had a better second jump with 5.01-m. A student of St. Francis of Assisi College, Ynot Jra also bagged the silver in the 100-m race, finishing seven-tenths of a second to schoolmate and eventual winner Christine del Rio (13.13 seconds).

Adjudged as the top athlete in the regional eliminations in Marikina, Lanuza of Immaculate Concepcion Academy, dominated his long jump rivals with a 6.48-meter mark, way ahead of Visayas’ Jersell Cabatino (6.15) and school buddy Eannoie Dumadag (5.92).

“Panay jumps lang ang talagang nae-ensayo ko ng maayos dahil hindi rubberized ‘yung track sa practice facility namin,” said Lanuza, who engaged the Visayan duo of Kenneth Monzon and Raul Perez Jr. in a thrilling 100-m race. Monzon won in 11.63 seconds while Perez finished second in 11.64 seconds, two-tenths of a second ahead of Lanuza.

Team Visayas, bidding to win its third straight title and the “perpetual trophy,” also won the secondary girls shot put event courtesy of Renzel Rosales who heaved the metal ball to an impressive 8.88-m and also had a 1-2 finish in the 110-m hurdles through Roy Villahermosa and Perez Jr.

Host Luzon also made its presence felt with a 1-2 finish in the secondary boys shot put through Rohan Isaac Abagat and Danilo Abarra.

Mindanao suffered a gold medal drought in athletics but is expected to bounce back strong in other events.

The NCR athletes also topped the secondary 800-m run events behind Arjay Rangasajo (boys) and Vanessa del Valle (girls) while John Rey Moreno (5,000-m) and Rocena Chua (100-m hurdles) added to the Big City bets’ harvest.

Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr., who graced the opening rites, welcomed the competitors and told them: “Nawa’y manggaling sa inyo ang susunod na Lydia de Vega at Manny Pacquiao.”