Tankers fuel Davao’s romp in Batang Pinoy

MANILA, Philippines - Samantha Cambronero grabbed four gold medals in the pool as Davao City dominated swimming with 19 golds in Day 2 of the 2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifying leg at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Center in Tagum City yesterday.

Cambronero, a 15-year-old from Precious International School of Davao, ruled the girls’ 13-15 50-meter breaststroke with a 38.61-second clocking to defeat Dana Izabel Rivera of Iligan City (39.68) and fellow Davaoeña Ryle Coleen Regidor (42.48) and spark her four-gold rush.

The five-time Palarong Pambansa participant also topped the 200m breast (3:02.14) and 50m butterfly (35.31) before leading Davao City’s to victory in the 200m medley relay.

Joining forces with Pia Alissandra Ballos, Hakura Jade Shimizu and Sheanetelle Fox, Davao clocked 2:26.26 to beat Kabacan, North Cotabato (2:40.18) and General Santos City (2:43.33).

“I improved on my clockings that’s why I performed well,’’ said Cambronero in Filipino. She never won a medal in the Palaro but now has a chance to make it a six-gold feat when she vies in the 200m individual medley and 100m breaststroke.

Also delivering for Davao City were Katrina Nicole Aguelo, Fritz Rodriguez and Fox, who captured three gold medals each in the talent-search program of the Philippine Sports Commission for 15-years-old-and-below.

Aguelo anchored Davao’s 15-and-under 200m freestyle relay team and topped the 100m free and 200m free while Fox dominated the girls’ 11-12 200m and 400m free while helping Cambronero in the 200m medley relay.

Rodriguez won the boys’ 12 and under 50m breast, 200m breast and was the last swimmer in the 200m medley relay in boys’ 15-and-under category.

Overall, Davao City pocketed 19 gold medals yesterday in the pool with Rey Jacob Alino, Cedric Fox, Zoe Marie Hilario, Juan Antonio Mendoza and Chyll Bea Amparo squeezing in two victories each.

Also pulling off double golden efforts were Gwynyth Kate Dagaojes of General Santos City, Surigao del Norte’s Kent Cagape and Czaree Pospia and Ginoog City’s Martin Jacob Pupos.

John Kenneth Nodos became the fastest runner in the week-long meet after winning the boys’ 100m dash over Fereboy Kasi of South Cotabato. Both finished the race in a dead heat (11.6 seconds) but finish line judges decided to award the gold to Nodos.

Nodos joined provincemate Christine Joy Jorban with three gold medals following victories in the 400m and the boys’ 4x100m.

Jorban, who earlier won the girls’ long jump, seized two more gold medals yesterday in the triple jump and led GenSan’s golden effort in the 4x100m relay.

Shiela Orot (400m), Mary Jane Lawas (shot put), Prince Arch Molles (1500m run) also shone for the country’s tuna capital.

GenSan also collected nine gold medals in pencak silat with Jerswin Terrado (boys’ 58-61kgs), Zooey Lyn Buaron (girls’ 52-55kgs) leading the way.

Other winners from GenSan were James John Minao (37-40kgs), Abdul Aziz Bandan (40-43kgs), Jayron Bernaldez (43-46kgs), Neil Earl Aurelio (46-49kgs), Jolaine Saripada (49-52kg) in the boys category and Anna Mae Quinones (40-43kg) and Jhazel Bernaldez (37-40) in the girls division.

Davao City snared the pair of golds at stake in blitz courtesy of chessers Andre Miguel Jorgio and Ella Grace Moulic.

Boxers from Tres de Mayo, Digos City and Panabo City won their opening bouts.

Ar-jay Recopelacion (32kgs), King Constantino Rigor (36kgs), Angelo Permito (38kgs) and Redeem Recopelacion (40kgs) delivered for Tres de Mayo while Panabo leaned on Jestine Tesoro (40kgs), Jake Sone Saludar (38kgs) and Jeffrey Miras (36kgs).