Dapitan City—A bemedalled lady archer did what was expected of her while a long jumper, who claimed to know nothing about pressure, helped Region 7 bounce back from a listless first day performance in the 2001 Palarong Pambansa here.
Not to be outdone was the secondary girls tennis team, which likewise delivered big-time as Region 7 finally got their campaign going by hauling four gold medals yesterday after Monday’s zero harvest.
Leading the medal haul for Region 7 was Dumaguete’s Crizabelle Marie Merto, who was steady as ever as she delivered the first two golds for the region by winning the 30-meter and 40m event in secondary girls archery.
It was a repeat performance for Merto, who also dominated the two events in last year’s Palaro held in Tarlac.
Kit Petellero, on the other hand, fell short in the elementary division triple jump contest early in the day, where he settled for silver.
He more than made up for that narrow loss in the afternoon games by snatching the gold medal of the long jump contest with a 5.76-meter leap.
“I was not pressured. I practiced almost every day and I was very prepared for the tournament,” said the 12-year-old Petellero in Cebuano.
other events
The secondary girls tennis team composed of Sally Mae Siso, Krissian Kintanar and Cristy Villeta capped Region 7’s productive performance by dumping Region 3, 2-0.
Some of the Region 7 athletes put up a fine performance but simply fell short.
In the elementary division, Steve John Vergara pocketed a silver in the triple jump, while Almar de Ocampo also delivered a silver in discus throw.
Earl Salinas settled for bronze in the boys’ secondary triple jump.
The elementary girls tennis team composed of Jana Pages, Zethley Mae Alferez, Shane Villareal and Sheena Camporedondo pocketed a bronze. The team lost in its semifinal battle against Region 10, which will next face National Capital Region (NCR).
Region 7, which just managed one silver in the first day of competition, took off to a rousing start in football.
The elementary team crushed Central Luzon, 6-0. Sabin Veloso, Jimmy Haosen and Jimmy Haosen each scored two goals each to lead Region 7’s resounding victory.
The secondary squad was equally impressive after it trampled NCR, 4-1. The highly physical match saw several NCR players slapped with red cards.
Roger Nievez, who accounted for two goals, was a casualty of NCR’s physical play as he was carried out of the playing field on a stretcher. A kick to the thigh sent Nievez crashing to the ground, grimacing in pain.
Players from opposing teams figured in several verbal altercations but cooler heads intervened that prevented things from getting out of hand.
The secondary basketball team, meanwhile, dropped its opening game against Region 10, 93-96. The team of coach Ryan Betia was in a must-win situation in its game against CRAA, which was still being played as of this writing.
The elementary basketball team barreled its way to its second straight victory after trashing Region 2, 68-36.
The team started its campaign with a shaky 61-57 win over Region 10.