STA. CRUZ, Laguna ,Philippines – Laguna dominated athletics, winning all but one of 11 gold medals disputed at the start of the Southern Luzon qualifying leg of Batang Pinoy 2011 at the Laguna Sports Complex here yesterday.
Jed Jusua Umali, 15, emerged as track and field’s first gold medalist as he topped the 2,000m walk over provincemate Christian Vandebarro with a 15:47:07 clocking.
“I’m very happy to win this event since this is my first time to compete in the 2,000m,” said Umali, a junior student from Siniluan National High School.
Vandebarro settled for second in 15:51.06.
Meanwhile, Julius Victorio Cootuaco of Daet, Camarines Norte and Maria Mendoza of Canlubang, Laguna took their second gold medals by topping the 18-meter Olympic round in the four-day event also supported 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.
Cootuaco defeated John Owen Obias while Mendoza won over Jenny Mendoza to add the gold to their victories in the Double FITA round.
Mendoza got two more free gold medals as Laguna was the only Local Government Unit entered in the team and mixed events, making her a quadruple gold medallist.
Umali also vied in the boy’s 800m run but lost to teammate Gilbert Rutaquio, who clocked 2:15.30, in the tournament organized by the Philippine Sports Commission in partnership with Smart, Maynilad and Summit Natural Drinking Water. “I really wanted to win and get a chance to join the national team and help my parents,” said Rutaquio, 14, in Filipino.
Other gold medal winners for Laguna were Jiezele Alcantara (girls 800m-2:39.00), Ian Christian Meneses (110m hurdles-17.4) and Jonnalyn Duran (100m hurdles-19.5), Marimar Amarga (100m dash-13.6), Wendell Llames (boys shotput-11.96m) and Charies Mae Violanta (girls shotput-8.51m), Darius Badillo (boys long jump-5.77m) and Joyce Cabaneros (girls long jump-3.85m).
Antipolo’s Dustine de Vera, however, foiled Laguna’s sweep bid as he ruled the boys 100m dash over Jacob delos Santos and Rex Benedict.
De Vera, a veteran of the 2011 Palarong Pambansa and winner of the 200m run in last year’s Milo Little Olympics, pulled away in the last 25 meters en route to an 11.6 clocking. Delos Santos timed 11.8 seconds.
De Vera, also vying in the 200m and 400m events, is the lone entry of Antipolo City in athletics.
Taytay Rizal, on the other hand, looms as a heavy contender in boxing as five of their boxers advanced into the second round.
Rammel Ofemaria scored a first round Referee Stopped Contest victory over Bicol’s Alvin Moreno in the 42kg division.
Renato Alias posted a 3-0 verdict over Marjon Hagad of Bicol in 40-kg class; Manuel Cabisda edged John Delos Santos of Bicol, 2-1, in the 44-kgs, Christian Robo routed Howard Ramillano of Laguna, 8-1, in the 46 kgs, while Jessie Diaz mauled Joshua Laynesa of Bicol, 15-2, in the 50 kgms.