JRU upstages FEU on 4-gold haul

BACOLOD , Philippines – Jose Rizal struck with four gold medals to outclass powerhouse Far Eastern U in athletics even as San Beda’s Wilfredo Sunglao and University of the Philippines-Diliman’s Claire Adorna racked up four gold medals each in the pool in the 17th Sandugo-University Games here yesterday.

Runner Rudyfer Hernandez, jumper Melbert Diones, thrower Eduard Paler and hurdler Domingo Cabradilla accounted for the four-gold haul by the Bombers, the reigning back-to-back NCAA athletics champions, in track and field to share the spotlight with the Tams, the Games’ reigning track and field champions, at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium.

“We have a lean but mean eight-man delegation and we’re happy to get the gold medals we wanted,” said acting Jose Rizal coach Jojo Posadas, who’s here in lieu of wife and head coach Elma Muros-Posadas who is competing in the Seniors Championships abroad, in Filipino.

Christopher Ulboc, for his part, topped the 1,500m to help Far Eastern U secure another gold after lording it over the field in the opener Wednesday highlighted by a pair of victories in the men’s and women’s 4x200m relay races.

Sunglao, for his part, topped the 100m backstroke and 100m free and led the 4x100m medley relay team of Andrei Lorenzo Manzo, Jugar Ruenpone and Joseph Lance Sanone and the 200m free relay squad of Joselito Vinluan Jr., Lorenz Joshua Francisco and Christian Jude Subiri.

Adorna, meanwhile, dominated the 100m back and 200m IM and anchored the 400m medley relay and 200m free relay teams that clobbered the opposition. She thus joined Sunglao in the elite quadruple gold winners at the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod’s pool.

Sunglao’s multiple wins also completed the reigning NCAA swim champs’ sweep of the men’s golds staked yesterday.

UP also swept all eight golds disputed in the girls’ division.

Other gold medal winners from San Beda were Lorenz Joshua Francisco (400m free), Andrei Lorenzo Manzo (200m breast), Jugar Ruenpone (200m fly) and Joselito Vinluan Jr. (200m IM), while Beatriz Grabador, Jodie de Leon (200m breast) and Ariane Velasquez (200m fly) delivered the other golds for the Lady Maroons.

Central Phl U struck in karatedo with Jerrydale Fuentes copping the gold in men’s individual kata and Jenalyn Benalte ruling the 50kgs women’s kumite.

Chara Lee Lacang of Xavier U ruled the women’s individual kata while Jerus Cuyco reigned in the men’s kumite for 55-kg fighters.

In men’s basketball at the USLS Gym, Adamson smothered USLS, 100-63, while University of the East trounced University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, 82-68, to sweep their respective brackets.

Roy Sumang erupted for 22 points, including three triples, to help the Warriors nail the No. 1 seeding in Group D with a 4-0 (win-loss) record while Ingrid Sewa of Cameroon scored 16 points to power the Falcons to the top in Group C.

Defending Sandugo-University Games and five-peat feat UAAP titlist Ateneo were playing Colegio de San Agustin at press time, also eyeing a sweep in Group A and a possible quarterfinal collision showdown with UAAP rival University of Santo Tomas, who is expected to finish second in Group C after absorbing an 81-86 loss to Adamson the other day.

Reigning Cebu champion Southwestern U and National U were also disputing the top seeding in Group D at presstime at the West Negros Gym.

In women’s basketball, UST demolished Ateneo de Davao, 85-40, to nail its third straight triumph after dropping its first game to Lyceum Monday.

In women’s volleyball, Ateneo overpowered UP, 25-11, 25-13, 25-22, to complete a five-game sweep of its group for a quarterfinal showdown with Adamson.