Anor cops six PNG swim golds

MANILA, Philippines - Christian Paul Anor and Shermalyn Jalmaani dominated swimming while Pagadian City’s Michelle Ann Sampang and Marianie Llogono took the first track golds at the start of the POC-PSC Philippine National Games Mindanao eliminations in Pagadian City yesterday.

Anor, relegated to the background in the face of  Maurice Sacho Ilustre’s strong showing in the last Palarong Pambansa, showed himself a cut above the rest of the Mindanao swimmers, ruling all of his six events at the PGC Sports Arena pool.

The 16-year-old pride of Balanga, Davao Oriental topped the 400m freestyle in four minutes, 31.43 seconds before prevailing in the 200m backstroke (2:20.94), 100m free (56.31), 200m free (2:10.36), 100m back (1:05.40) and 1,500m freestyle  (18:22.41).

“I’m very happy to qualify for the PNG national finals,” said the lanky Baculin National High School Grade 10 student after his impressive performance in this meet organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission.

Anor resumes his quest in the 200m individual medley, 50m back and 50m freestyle today in the sportsfest supported by the  Zamboanga del Sur provincial government under Gov. Antonio Cerilles.  

Jalmaani, the youngest daughter of swimming legend Amman Jalmaani, was just as impressive, winning four golds in the 100m freestyle (1:12.77), 50m backstroke (39.09), 200m freestyle (2:38.32) while pacing the Zamboanga City tankers to victory in the 200m medley relay (2:36.48).

Host Zamboanga del Sur likewise had reason to celebrate after Michelle Ann Sampang and Marianie Llogono of Pagadian City swept the women’s and girls 10,000m races at the track oval located at the center of the provincial capital.

Sampang ruled the women’s division in 42 minutes and 33.1 seconds while Llogono topped the girl’s division in 47.39.5.