MANILA, Philippines - Ronnel Nerza flashed top form to rule the 11-12 category while six other bets from the Leyte Sports Academy bagged at least a medal each in the 2013 Buno National Wrestling Championship at the New Era University gym in QC over the weekend.
Taytay-Rizal, meanwhile, took the overall team championship followed by Quezon City and Ifugao for third but the LSA bets shared the spotlight as they bucked overwhelming odds to prove their worth as contenders.
John Michael Saldaña copped a silver while Andrea Rowella Abrea, Angela Alferez, Francisco Arca, Jessie Kiamco and Kenneth John Bais all pocketed bronze medals in the 16-and-under class in the annual event which featured the top wresting clubs in the country.
Displaced by super typhoon Yolanda, the LSA athletes have been adopted by the Philippine Sports Commission and are currently billeted and training inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila since last Nov. 20 under coach and team manager Christopher Javier.
Perennial favorite Zamboanga City failed to compete due to financial constraints in the aftermath of the recent armed conflict.
The event, sponsored by outgoing WAP president Albert Balde, Justice Normandie Pizarro and the New Era U, also served as a qualifier for potential recruits to the national wrestling team.