Davao City teen snares B Pinoy first gold

MANILA, Philippines - Long-distance runner Jomar Angga bucked the heat and put up a strong finish to rule the boys’ 5,000m run and bag the first gold medal in the 2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanano qualifying leg at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Center in Tagum City yesterday.

The 13-year-old pride of Davao City clocked 19 minutes, 35.6 seconds as he pulled away from his pursuers in the final 800 meters. Edrian Bentulan of Davao City placed second (19:54.0) and John Rey Ulanday of Koronadal City wound up third (20:04.7).

“It’s too hot but I saw a chance to pull away when they slowed down,’’ said Angga, a second-year student at Davao City National High School, in Filipino.

Christine Joy Jorban of General Santos City shared the spotlight as she became the first female athlete to capture a gold medal with a victory in girls’ long jump.

The third-year student from General Santos National High School registered 4.76 meters on her fifth jump to defeat schoolmate Jessica Jane Cora (4.39) and South Cotabato’s Pauline Paquierda (4.31) in the week-long meet organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.

It was an inspiring victory for Jorban, 14, who had competed but failed to win any medal in the Palarong Pambansa thrice – two times in the elementary level and once in high school.

Fernando Jison Jr. of Davao City made good use of his height and athleticism to rule the boys’ high jump.

At 5-foot-11, the 15-year-old Doña Carmen Denya National High School junior cleared the bar at 1.70 meters. Louie Restauro of GenSan took the silver (1.50m) while Davao City’s Joel Torralba Jr. placed third with a 1.30-meter jump.

The host province, which attracted over 2,100 athletes from 81 local government units, pocketed its first gold medal courtesy of Asher Chem Sab, who ruled the boys’ shot put with a 10.49-meter heave.

Ronald Dendam of Davao City placed second (9.26) and Iligan City’s Kerl Hanez Aplaca took the bronze (9.10) before track and field organizers packed up and moved all afternoon events early in the evening to give way to girls’ softball.

Friences Diane Balbaguio of Koronadal won the girls’ 2000m walk gold medal over Davao’s Frencis May Dayon in a dead heat where the judges decided in Balbaguio’s favor.

The diminutive Balbaguio came from behind in the last 25 meters to nose out Dayon, who led the race throughout. They clocked 14:38.2. Janyl Kate Ubas of Koronadal finished third in 14:40.2.

In girls’ rapid chess, Allanney Jia Doroy of Agusan del Sur remained unbeaten after three rounds after downing Lorraine Yngayo of Davao City while Princess Joy Atupan of Davao subdued Tagum City’s Sarrah Mae Mosquera to record her second straight win.

Unrated Daisiree Lyn Supas of Cabadbaran City and Janyl Domato of Midsayap, Cotabato also posted their second straight wins.

Meanwhile, Davao del Norte topped Cotabato, 12-5, after six innings in softball at the sun-baked field of the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Center.