For the third straight year, Negros Occidental swept the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet.

But unlike in previous years when the Negrense gold medal machine was humming without distraction, the feat was pulled off at a time when the province was mourning the death of Gov. Joseph Marañon, who was buried yesterday in his hometown, Sagay City.

But the athletes rose to the occasion in San Jose, Antique and dedicated their victories to Marañon, who succumbed to cardio-pulmonary arrest Thursday night.

“We are very happy our athletes pulled through. This is the best farewell gift for Gov. Marañon,” Vice Gov. Emilio Yulo III told the DAILY STAR.

Yulo said even Antique Gov. Sally Perez was impressed at how Negros’ athletes had conducted themselves in the meet, constantly offering their triumphs to Marañon during awarding ceremonies.

Negros collected 422 points to beat Iloilo (406) for the secondary crown. Aklan was a far third with Aklan 141 points, followed by Antique 113.5 and Guimaras 63.

Negros bagged the elementary title after posting 361.5 points.  Iloilo, which last won the elementary title when it hosted the regional meet in 2005, finished second for the third straight year with 338.5 points and was trailed by Capiz with 107 and Antique 77.

It was Negros Occidental’s fourth sweep in five years in a run that started when the regional meet was also staged in Antique in 2004.

The victories meant that Negros will be sending the most number of athletes for Western Visayas in the Palarong Pambansa in Palawan from April 20-27.

Emerging as the top athlete was elementary swimmer Joshua Balinas of the University of St. La Salle, who bagged seven gold medals, after topping the 100m and 200m free, 100m back, 200m individual medley and 100m fly. He was also part of the team that won the 4x100m medley and 4x100m free.

  HIGH SCHOOL VICTORIES

Negros’ high school titles came in boys and girls’ badminton, baseball, boys and girls’ chess, men’s artistic gymnastics, women’s artistic gymnastics, boys and girls’ swimming, boys and girls’ taekwondo, boys and girls’ table tennis, softball, girls’ lawn tennis and girls’ volleyball. 

St. Scholastica’s Academy senior Krestia Angela Lacson fished out four individual golds and captured two more in the relay events to emerge as the most bemedalled athlete in the secondary division. Lacson ruled the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley and placed second in the 100m backstroke. Her relay wins are in the 4x100m free and the 4x100m medley.

Also coming up big for the province was freshman Kiefer Piccio of Bacolod Christian College of Negros, who also grabbed four individual golds by ruling the 100m and 200m backstroke and 100m and 200m butterfly. Piccio got another gold for helping the province win in the 4x50m free. He also had two silvers --- 200m IM and 4x100m IM.

The Negrenses were unable to create much noise in athletics unlike last year when it virtually dominated the meet at the Panaad Park and Stadium.

This time, Negros finished second in both divisions. It was Bacolod City’s Ana Marie Jagocoy, who carried the cudgels for the girls’ squad.

Her output of three golds and one silver pushed her to a three-way tie for most bemedalled honors. Jagocoy, a senior at Bacolod City National High School, completed a sprint double, winning the 100 and 200m races, before finishing second in the 400m. She also helped Negros win the 4x100 race.

In badminton, Trinity Christian School freshman Nikki Therese Servando captured the girls’ singles crown with a 21-15, 21-15 win over Pearl Arroyo of Iloilo. She later teamed up with Christian Crisostomo to dump Jurnellos Castro and Camille Burgos of Iloilo, 21-17, 17-21, 21-18, for the mixed doubles title.

  ELEMENTARY DIVISION

Negros dethroned Iloilo with a 75-71 victory in elementary basketball Sunday night. The Negrense cagers composed mostly of NOPSSCEA players actually secured the twice-to-beat advantage by rally to a 60-57 victory Saturday.

The win was worth 25 points for Negros in the overall championship race. Negros also ruled baseball, boys and girls’ badminton, women’s artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics, girls’ chess, boys’ swimming and girls’ taekwondo. 

To characterize Negros’ superb display, the girls’ volleyball team erased Iloilo’s twice-to-beat advantage, before clinching the title. The boys’ team also downed Iloilo for the crown.

Alem Palmares and Louie John Medina copped the elementary boys’ doubles gold in badminton, while Robert Logno captured the singles title. Dessa Mae Arino and Diane Bibiano topped the elementary girls’ doubles.

Yulo said the Negros contingent will arrive in different batches this afternoon. He said he will discuss with Gov. Isidro Zayco the incentive package for the athletes today.*CPT

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