MANILA, Philippines - Kristen Chloe Daos and Raissa Gavino copped two gold medals each as Quezon City dominated swimming with a 23-gold, 23-silver, 13-bronze haul in the Batang Pinoy National Capital Region qualifying leg at the Marikina Sports Center in Marikina yesterday.
Daos, a 13-year-old eighth grader at Immaculate Conception Academy, topped the 100m fly and 800m free in the 15-under category to finish with six gold medals, the most in the five-day talent-search put up by the Philippine Sports Commission.
“I didn’t expect to win all golds because I swam against those I didn’t expect to beat,’’ said the bubbly Daos. “But I’m happy because I worked, prepared and trained hard for this.”
On the other hand, Gavino, a 12-year-old, seventh grader from Multiple Intelligence International School, ruled the 100m breaststroke and 800m free in the 13-under class to match Daos six-gold haul.
Daos’ other wins came in 200m fly and 200m and 400m free while Gavino also reigned in 50m and 200m breast and 400m free. The two then joined forces to power QC to victory in the 4x50m medley relay.
“I’m proud and happy for what I’ve done,” said Gavino, who won five golds and the MVP honors in the elementary division of the Palarong Pambansa in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte last year.
While the QC bets lorded it over the field in the pool, Manila struck on the tracks as San Sebastian took home 13 gold, 12 silver and seven bronze medals while finishing second in swimming with a 19-21-22 (gold-silver-bronze) tally.
Host Marikina City, meanwhile, snared four golds in indigenous sport arnis with Tessalonica Nova winning the girls’ double weapon individual and single weapon individual titles and Jay Rivera topping the boys single anyo and Michael Ken Duque ruling the double weapon.
In boxing, Mandaluyong stamped its class as antweight Jimwell Cerro, paper weight Riel Crapatanta and pinweight Jhosua Cenita won their gold medal matches while light pin Arman Joseph Auristela and light bantam Randhel Celzo taking home a silver apiece.
Malabon City topped taekwondo and karatedo with hauls of 5-2-5 and 5-0-1, respectively.