No shoes. No problem.

Barefoot and all, Richmar Villaluz, a muscular 12-year-old boy from Inayawan, Cauayan, took the spotlight at the start of the Palarong Panlalawigan athletics competition by snaring two golds at the University of St. La Salle tracks yesterday.

The grade six pupil out of Inayawan Elementary School insisted he is not used to wearing shoes when he's competing.

So it came as no surprise when he overwhelmed his shod rivals in the long jump event, where he was immediately noticed as the boy, armed with precise execution and remarkable spring on his legs.

Villaluz also ruled the 100m event for his second gold medal.

Sharing the limelight with Villaluz were Area I's Erma Rose Ganao of Escalante and Bacolod City athletes Ana Marie Jagocoy and Rolando Uberas, who earned tags as the meet's fastest athletes with century dash victories yesterday.

As the sun was about to shine after an early morning drizzle, Villaluz, only a bronze medalist last year, leapt to a distance of 5.10 meters to secure his first gold, ahead of Area IV's Rey Cosme (4.81m) and NOPSSCEA's Carl Sabbon (4.68m).

Shrugging of fatigue, Villaluz switched to the tracks three hours later and crowned himself the sprint prince in the elementary boys' division by clocking 13.12 seconds to beat Sabbon, who checked in at 13.51.

Villaluz's exploits on Day One made Area VI the surprise pacesetter in the elementary boys' division with 19 points, which includes the bronze medal finish of Christopher Lirazan in the 100m.

Area I made headway in the elementary girls' division as Fritzie Alesna, a 12-year-old from Punao, San Carlos City , seized the games' first gold medal, and Ganao topped the 100m.

The victory was special for Alesna, a grade six pupil from Talave Elementary School , since it was also her first time competing in the provincial level.

“I didn't expect to win,” said Alesna, who recorded a personal-best leap of 4.06m.

Alesna admitted having difficulty juggling her training routine and classes but said winning a gold medal was worth all the hardwork she has put in to her game.

“I don't complain because I know practices make me a better athlete,” she added.

Unlike Villaluz, Alesna fell short of taking a second gold medal, finishing sixth in the 100m event won by Ganao, a grade five pupil from Paitan Elementary School , in 14.4 seconds.

The twin wins pushed Area I to the top of the rankings with 20 points, followed by Area V with 16 and Area VI with 10.

Area IV's lone gold medal in the elementary girls' division came courtesy of Devy Isada, of Inocencio Lucasan Elementary School in Bago City, the winner in the shotput event with an 8.39m record.

Despite a gold-medal shutout, Area I was also the early leader in the secondary girls' division, thanks to a silver-medal finish in long jump and a pair of third-place wins in shotput and long jump.

Bringing gold medals were Ruffa Madayag of Area III, the long jump champion (4.67m); A. Belante of Area IV, the shotput winner (8.75m).

Jagocoy, a former sprint champion in the elementary division, stormed past the field in 12.93 seconds, beating the likes of NOPSSCEA bets Jami Dawn Henares (13.03) and Trish Isidora (13.51).

Traditional favorites Area IV scored two golden finishes to show the way in the secondary boys' division.

But it was Uberas, who stole the show, covering the 100m race in an impressive 11.49 seconds. NOPSSCEA's Juan Miguel Bonnin (11.76) and Nicolas Imutan (11.99) settled for the silver and bronze, respectively.

The Area IV gold medallists were Bon Daryl Lagunday of Bago City , who ruled shotput again with his 10.68m effort, and Alfie De La Cruz, the long jump ruler with a 5.87m record.

In elementary basketball at the USLS-IS covered court, Bacolod City came away with the most lopsided win, overwhelming Area IV, 93-19, while Area III drubbed provincial Palaro debutant ANOPSSAI , 70-20.

In other games, Area VI cruised to a 73-38 triumph over Area II, while Area I squeaked past Area V, 75-69.

Elementary boys' volleyball action saw Area I scoring a three set win over Area V, 25-22, 12-24, 25-15, Bacolod City defeating Area I, 25-22, 25-21, and Area VI toppling Area II, 25-14, 25-19.

Bacolod also made a bright start in the girls' tournament as it edged Area I, 26-24, 12-25, 25-21, while NOPSSCEA smashed Area IV, 25-13, 25-22. *CPT

back to top

Cauayan boy sparkles
Record-breakers highlight Filipinos' seven-gold haul