ILOILO CITY – A former Palarong Pambansa standout swimmer turned out to be the saving grace for NOPSSCEA yesterday as a cloud of disappointment hovered over the campaign in track and field in the Western Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association Meet here.

Dominique Balinas made big waves at the Iloilo Sports Complex pool, where she bagged four individual golds to pace the Negros campaign in the women's division (see related story).

The former Palarong Pambansa gold medalist out of the University of St. La Salle ruled the 400m individual medley (6 minutes, 6.07 seconds), 50m fly (33.43), 200m fly (2:58.15), 100m fly (1:19.26) and was part of the champion 4x100m free squad, along with Michele Petero.

With Balinas and 100m free gold medalist Petero leading the way, the NOPSSCEA aquabelles collected 16 gold medals, 11 ahead of their Iloilo rivals.

The women tankers' output compensated for the dismal showing by the men's team, which came up with five golds, 13 less than the output of Iloilo at the end of Day One.

One of the bright spots of an otherwise gloomy campaign in Roxas City last year, La Salle's Petero captured the 100m free gold and also snared a silver in the 200m free, behind Iloilo tanker Chrizel Lagunday.

Only Miguel Villanueva won an individual gold medal with his win in the 200m back. Things looked bright for the Negrenses when they ruled the first event --- the 4x200m free relay.

But they fell under the weight of the Iloilo juggernaut, spearheaded by brothers Adelbert and Edilberto Gallos of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University , mentored by Bacoleño Ronald Sta. Ana.

Adelbert, the older of the two, claimed four individual golds – 100m fly, 200m free, 50m fly and 100m free.

HIGH NOTE

The NOPSSCEA campaign actually started on a high note with its booters forcing Antique to surrender after racing to a 16-0 lead 15 minutes into the second half.

West Negros College attacking midfielder Robert Canedo struck six times, while University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos stars JP Gardose and Michael Pacite added two goals each. Also making it into the scoresheet were Mark Ferrer, Jaylor Soriano, Ruffy Llorente, Gino Palomo, Jaime Poderoso and Ryan Lerio.

Coach Norman Fegidero said he has a healthy and well-prepared side ready to go all-out against Iloilo , 6-0 winners over Antique Monday, in the title match – equivalent to 11 golds – at 7 a.m. today.

FRUSTRATING DAY

The athletics teams failed to sustain the strong start. By the end of the day, they were lagging third behind traditional powerhouse Iloilo and fast-rising Capiz.

Iloilo took the upperhand in both divisions, tallying six golds, four silvers and six bronze medals in the men's division. The Ilonggos were also tops in the women's category with a 6-3-6 output.

The NOPSSCEA athletes wound up with a 3-5-5 record in the men's division and a 4-11-7 count in the distaff side.

The frustrating day was characterized in the women's classical relay where Allyn Grace Salas, the third runner, dropped the baton, allowing her rivals from Iloilo and Capiz to pull away. Negros ' last runner, Ana Mae Dionela could do no better than get close by 20 meters down the stretch as NOPSSCEA finished third.

Nevertheless, WNC's Salas delivered the 800m gold in 2:26.30. Other Wesnecans striking golds were Junmar Baniqued (5000m walk, 31:24.45), Maribel Ymalay (3000m walk, 20:37), Anthony Babiera (1500m, 4:20.71).

Also winning golds were La Sallians Francis Tejares III (110m hurdles, 2:26.71) and Jeniffer Flores (discus throw, 27.49m).

ABSENCE OF KEY ATHLETES

Athletics coach Inocentes Maquino and men's assistant coach Jay Divinagracia said their campaign suffered a big blow because of the absence of key athletes.

Divinagracia said top sprinter John Paul Geamoga, who won the NOPSSCEA gold for UNO-R last year, has quit school, while La Salle's Leomar Caritan was unable to make the squad because of academic deficiencies.

Maquino said he had to adjust the women's roster on the 11 th hour following the disqualification of Ma. Rosario Baranao, who failed to make the criteria on academic load.

OUT-OF-SHAPE

It was clear, however, that some of Maquino's top bets turned out to be a flop here.

Harold Juarez, the University Games champion, settled for two silvers as he was stunned by Don Siva of Iloilo in the shotput and the discus throw. Jossie Entrina, who, Maquino claimed was out-of-shape, also took two silvers, losing to teammate Flores in her favorite event – discus throw.

WNC's Jonalyn Pula could only manage a second-place finish in the 100m, the same finish of Aiza Delos Santos and Ana Mae Dionela in the 1500m and 200m, respectively. Germano Remollo also claimed a silver in triple jump.

Former WVPRISAA gold medalist Mary Glor Sabidong was also a letdown, registering a silver finish in the 100m hurdles. The bronze medalists were Sabidong in triple jump, Dionela in 200m and the men's 4x200m relay squad.

A total of 35 more golds are at stake in athletics today, while 26 titles go up for grabs in swimming.

The other WV PRISAA events – taekwondo, badminton, basketball, table tennis, chess, lawn tennis, volleyball, sepak takraw and karatedo – will be held in Kalibo, Aklan starting Wednesday until Saturday.*CPT

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Swimmer propels Nopsscea