Garovillo, Sirios top gymnastics

Manila, Philippines - Former Palaro standout Mary Carmeli Garovillo and Anica Joy Sirios stamped their class to rule the senior and junior divisions of rhythmic gymnastics in the second POC-PSC National Games at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last Friday.

The outstanding rhythmic gymnast in the Palaro held in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte a year ago, Garovillo swept the ball (6.85), hoop (9.933), ribbon (7.050), and clubs (21.017) in capturing the all-around title with a runaway 81.933 points.

Jean Caluscusin, who placed second to Garovillo in all of the apparatus except the hoop, was also runner-up in the all-around (65.833) while Karen Sthea Velez settled for the bronze (59.033).

“I’m happy to win after missing the inaugural PNG competitions in Bacolod,” said Garovillo, 16, of Liloan, Cebu who was unable to compete in the inaugural meet last year because of a twisted left ankle and only had two silvers and a bronze in last week’s Palaro held in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

 The 14-year-old Sirios, a member of the Philippine Gymnastics and Athletics Academy (PGAA) run by former national coach Boots Ty, topped the ball (23.7), hoop (22.517), clubs (20.2) and was second in the ribbon (18.4) to snare the all-around gold (84.817), reasserting her superiority in the division for the second straight year.

MIckhaela Silverio, who bagged the gold in the ribbon event (20.017) and silver in the rest, settled for second in the all-around (78.76) while Genemy Joise Diaz was third with 57.967 points, good for bronze.