NAGA City, Philippines – A pair of triathletes, a Nueva Vizcayan long jumper and a powerhouse swim team from Laguna took center stage as action in the Batang Pinoy got under way here in various fronts yesterday.
Manila’s Gabriel Allen Santiago topped the boys’ triathlon in 19 minutes, four seconds while Laguna’s Jessica Salazar ruled the girls’ side in 22.24 to account for the first two gold medals in this five-day multi-sports meet staking slots in the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.
“I had a hard time because of the slippery road and rains,” said Santiago, 15-year-old Letran student, who snared a bronze medal in the recent Singapore Int’l. Triathlon.
Salazar, who also bagged a bronze in the last Camsur IronKids, pounced on a spill by provincemate Victoria Deldio to snatch the victory in the 250m swim, 5K cycling and 1.2 run event.
“I’m happy to win,” said Salazar, a first timer who trained under former national champion Abet Alon-Alon.
Sharing the limelight were the fancied Laguna swimmers, who won 10 gold medals at the start of the two-day pool competitions with Christine Bondad and Ariana Herranz bagging three apiece.
The 13-year-old Bondad topped the 50m (28.5 sec) and 200m freestyle (2:15.43) and 100m backstroke (1: 09.20) for girls 12-13 years old while the 15-year-old Herranz posted wins in the 100m back (1:10.48) and 200m free (2:18.63) before teaming up with Sofia Guanio, Martina Borce and Joanna Simbulan in copping the 200m relay mint (2:15.79).
Other Laguna winners were Jethro Roberts Chua in the 50m and 200m free for 14-15 years old boys, Joshua Casino in the 50m free for 12 to 13 years old boys and Joanna Simbulan in the 50m butterfly for girls 12-13.
Nueva Ecija’s John Arnel Huerta, meanwhile, provided the drama in the long jump gold with a 6m feat at the Metro Naga Sports Complex.
Huerta, a 14-year-old second year student at Alfonso Castaneda National High School, edged Dumaguete’s Kit Vincent Pelletaro (5.91m) and Laguna’s Darius Badillo (5.80), improving his personal best of 5.69 he registered in copping the gold in the Northern Luzon regionals in Baguio City.
Huerta actually endured a gruelling 13-hour land travel to get into the venue and arrived at the oval one hour before the start of his event.
Despite lack of warmup, Huerta, who failed to make it to the free bus travel from Manila to Naga due to communication mix-up with coordinators, proved up to the task and bested the rest.
Meanwhile, Batang Pinoy marketing chief Albert Almendralejo said the outstanding athlete from the games will represent the country in the 2012 London Olympics Summer Sports Program.