ILOILO CITY --- Banking on strong performances in women's athletics and a a remarkable victory in football, Negros Occidental wrested the overall lead two days into the Western Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association Meet here.

Powered by West Negros College standouts Allyn Mae Salas and Jonalyn Pula and St. La Salle thrower Mayven de Oro, Negros Occidental hiked its collection to 42 golds, 21 silver and 22 bronze medals, ahead of Iloilo, which dominated men's athletics for a 36-34-25 haul. Negros and Iloilo actually shared the athletics crowns with the Ilonggos just ahead in the overall medal table, but thanks to the football team, the Negrenses gained the upperhand at the end of Day 2 by winning the crown over Iloilo for 11 golds more.

The competition takes a break today as athletes travel to Roxas City, Capiz for the remainder of the regional meet that will formally open tomorrow with Philippine sports commissioner Ambrosio de Luna as keynote speaker. Events scheduled in Roxas are badminton, chess, volleyball, table tennis, lawn tennis, sepak takraw taekwondo and swimming.

The golds for Negros came in bunches at the Iloilo Sports Complex tracks, where Salas and Pula and De Oro lorded it over the field.

The Negrenses swept the women's five relay events that was good for 20 golds to add to the earlier victories of Salas in the 800-m and 1,500-m, Pula in the 100-m, Baranao in the 400-m hurdles and De Oro in the shotput and discus throw competitions.

This atoned for the disappointing performance of the men's team, which was a far second behind Iloilo with its 5-12-15 tally.

Providing the bright spots in an otherwise gloomy campaign were double gold-winner Edelmar Pescos, who ruled long jump and triple jump; Renato Jolito, the 5,000-m winner; Rowell Hulleza of WNC, the 10,000-m champion and USLS' Harold Juarez, the gold medalist in discus throw.

While athletics was winding up at the tracks, the men's football team, composed of players from WNC, UNO-R and La Salle were also hoping to wrap up its third straight crown yesterday morning.

But complacency and sloppy defending in the early moments of the second half condemned the Negros XI to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the hosts.

The outcome tied up the series at one-game apiece and paved the way for a winner-take-all showdown, which proved to be an anti-climactic duel as the Negrenses --- energized by a three-hour break --- run out 3-0 winners.

First half goals from WNC players Mark Ferrer, Jehram Calvo and Allan Auman ensured the well-deserved victory in a match marred by another sending off of an Iloilo player.

Winning silvers for Nopsscea were Baranao in the 100-m hurdles and century dash, where she lost out to Pula, who came in second in the 200-m.

Helen Tompong also won a silver in the 400-m race and the 400-m hurdles, duplicating the finish of Dylin Baylon in the 800-m, Aiza delos Santos, 1,500-m and 3,000-m; Jolito, men's 1,500-m; Juarez, shotput; Analyn Gabayoyo, long jump and high jump, and Rowell Hulleza in the 3,00-0-m steeplechase. *CPT

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