Cootuaco bags archery gold in Batang Pinoy Southern Luzon leg

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning Palarong Pambansa and Philippine National Games champion Julius Victorio Cootuaco stamped his class in archery and ran away with the gold medal in the Batang Pinoy Southern Luzon qualifying yesterday at the Laguna Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

The 15-year-old bet from Daet, Camarines Norte scored 498 points in the Double FITA Round to beat teammate John Owen Obias, who scored 452.

Incidentally, both Cootauco and Obias are high school students from Chong Hwa High School and were the only representatives from Daet in this four-day tournament organized by the Philippine Sports Commission in partnership with Smart, Maynilad and Summit Natural Drinking Water.

“I just did what I needed to do although I didn’t want to be overconfident,” said Cootauco.

Bagging the bronze is Laguna bet Michael Manalang with 415 points.

Cootauco, a new member of the national pool and currently training under former foreign national coach Choi Won Tae from Korea, shoots for his second gold in the Olympic round.

Maria Mendoza, a third year high school student from La Salle Canlubang, shared the spotlight as she bagged the gold medal in the girls division in an All-Laguna showdown.

Mendoza, a swimmer who also competes in duathlon and triathlon who shifted to archery four months ago, scored 358 points to clinch the win in the event backed by Milo, Jollibee, The British Council, Standard Insurance, Manila Bulletin, Negros Navigation-Super Ferry, Kids 3 Food Supplement, RELIV Now for Kids and Growee Multivitamins

“I got interested because my brothers and sisters are into archery. I joined this tournament simply to enjoy the sport and winning a medal is a bonus,” said Mendoza.

Jenny Mendoza placed second with 242 for silver while Faith Dumicon took the bronze with a 231.

Eliminations in chess and 3-on-3 basketball also started yesterday while hostilities in badminton, table tennis and boxing start today.

Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito graced the opening ceremony Saturday night where he stressed the important role of the Batang Pinoy in developing sports in this country.

A total of 23 Local Government Units are seeing action in the talent search where the top performers will join the other top finishers in the other legs in the national finals slated Dec. 10-13 in Naga City.