IBA, Zambales , Philippines – A deluge of medals in arnis and muay propelled Baguio to the overall title of the 2013 Batang Pinoy Luzon qualifying leg.
Trailing by just two gold medals before the day began, Baguio overhauled the narrow deficit by seizing eight golds in arnis and two in muay to dislodge Quezon City.
Norielyn Sagun, 14, accounted for half of those arnis gold medals after leading Baguio to victory in the girls anyo synchronized double identical weapon aside from superior individual performances in the anyo single weapon, double identical weapon and sword and dagger events.
Rey Abogadi also contributed to the cause with a win over teammate Sheen Pakilan in the boys’ anyo sword and dagger event before joining forces with Pakilan and Eza Rai Yalong for the anyo synchronized double identical weapon and sword and dagger title.
The country’s summer capital also won the girls anyo synchronized sword and dagger and leaned on muay fighters Ariel Lee Lampacan (boys 14-15 51kgs) and Clyde Drexler Soriano (14-15 57kg) for a total harvest of 47 gold, 49 silver and 37 bronze medals.
Quezon City, which fought mightily in muay and badminton in the last two days, concluded the Luzon games with 44 gold, 28 silver and 35 bronze medals.
Pangasinan, last year’s regional champion, wound up third (25-25-29) followed by Laguna (16-20-31) and Manila (16-7-6) .