Tankers cap host Laguna B Pinoy bid

STA. CRUZ, Laguna, Philippines – Tankers Joshua Casino and Catherine Bondad combined for five gold medals as Laguna clobbered the opposition in the Southern Luzon qualifying leg of Batang Pinoy at the Laguna Sports Complex here yesterday.

Casino, voted MVP in the Singapore All Nation Cup with a four-gold haul, topped the boys’ (12-13) 50m free in 27.41 seconds and the 50m butterfly in 29.85 while Bondad, 13, reigned in 50m free (30.0), 100m back and 200m medley relay as the hosts won 15 golds in the first 22 swim events.

“My goal is to win as many gold medals as possible and emerge as the most outstanding swimmer,” said Casino from San Beda-Taytay.

The gold and silver medal winners in all five qualifying legs will advance to the Batang Pinoy national finals slated Dec. 10-13 in Naga City.

The Batang Pinoy, aimed at discovering young athletes for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China, is organized by the Philippine Sports Commission in partnership with Smart, Maynilad and Summit Drinking Water.

“I’m determined to reach the national finals and earn a slot in the Youth Olympic Games,” said Bondad, a student of San Beda-Alabang.

Ariana Herranz, Joanna Coleen Simbulan and Jethro Roberts Chua also won two gold medals each while the other winners from Laguna were Ron Derrick Alcantara and Gabriell Joshue Flores.

PSC commissioners Jolly Gomez and Chito Loyzaga were on hand to award the medals to the winners.

Marimar Amarga, meanwhile, emerged as the first triple gold medalist in athletics as she won the 100m dash, the triple jump (9.79m) and the 400m run (1.08.2) 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.

Darius Badillo who ruled the boys’ long jump, took his second gold in the triple jump which he ruled with a 12.33-m effort while 800m gold medalist Gilbert Rutaquio dominated the boys’ 1500m run (5:00).

Antipolo’s Dustine De Vera joined the list of double gold medalists with a first place finish in the 400m run (52.1).

Laguna wrestlers also swept the eight gold medals disputed in the   freestyle and Greco Roman.

 Jose Lawas ruled the 42kg and 47kg divisions to lead the winners in freestyle, who included Nimrod Giman Jr. (35kg) and John Andrei Samadio (38kg).

Nerry Wilson Maneja (35kg), John Mikko Mantala (38kg), Allen John Dela Rueda (42kg) and Wawie Mantala (47kg) topped the Greco Roman class.

In table tennis, Jorge Victorio took two gold medals for Laguna as he dominated the boys’ singles and combined with Justine Antonial in the mixed doubles.

Trisha Nicole Mae Suario of Lucban, Quezon averted a sweep by the hosts by winning the gold in girls’ singles.

Meanwhile, boxers from Tayabas – EJ Narez (38kg), Renato Alias (40kg), Rammel Ofemaria (44kg), Archie Esteleydes and Manuel Cabisda (44kg) and Jessie Diaz (50kg) won over their rivals to reach the finals.