Lingayen, Pangasinan— Region 7 collected five more gold medals yesterday but its bid to retain fourth place overall is strongly challenged by the surging Region 12 with two days remaining in the 2012 Palarong Pambansa, here.
Deo Genito Jr., chairman of the Games Results Communication and Documentation Committee told Cebu Daily News that Region 7 and Region 12 are in a neck-and-neck battle for fourth. And although he refused to release figures, he said that the two regions are separated by just a few points.
“Region 3 is also threatening to get that fourth spot,” warned Genito.
Genito said defending champion National Capital Region is at the top followed by Region 4-A and Region 6.
“Region 6 has a big lead over Region 7,” added Genito.
Last year, NCR topped the week-long competition followed by Region 6 then Region 4-A. Region 7 finished fourth while Region 12 wound up sixth.
GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
With Region 7 nursing a slim lead over Region 12, the five golds and several bronzes that it won yesterday are crucial.
Delivering the golds for Region 7 were archer Romeo Betache, trackster Neslee Angco (400m), stick fighter John Darryl Dacalos, Jhon Kim Lapus (taekwondo category 1) and the secondary table tennis team of Val Stephen Jaca, Dannel Jay Tormis, Jean Philipp Honoridez and Lemuel Agbon.
While its was a big moment for the above mentioned gold finishers, the day really belonged to Betache, the eagle-eyed archer from Labogon National High School in Mandaue City (not Dumaguete City as previously reported).
After several runner-up finishes, Betache finally stole the limelight from teammate Karl Mari, whom he defeated in the tough olympic round of archery.
A total of 68 archers competed in the olympic round and no one was surprised when Mari advanced to the gold medal round. What was surprising was Betache earning a championship slot.
Having won the 30m, 40m, 50m and Fita round contests, Mari was the top pick to rule the olympic round which is also a 50-meter contest.
Betache however, outsteadied Mari in the finals, 6-4.
Betache said he was relaxed in the finals since having Mari as his opponent was already a sure gold for Region 7.
But the 16-year-old Betache wanted to prove something and that is to beat Mari.
“I have yet to win against him in an olympic round before this. I really wanted to win this. We were teammates but I didn’t treat it that way so I maintained my focus and stayed competitive,” said Betache, who finally won gold in an individual event after three stints in Palaro.
Betache said what made the victory more special was that he defeated a veteran archer like Mari.
“He’s been an archer for eight years while I took up the sport four years ago.”
“It was my older brother who was really interested in this sport but he is gay and for some reason he couldn’t focus so he convinced me to try it,” said Betache, laughing.
After their fierce battle yesterday, Betache and Mari will find themselves joining forces for today’s team event.
OTHER MEDAL WINNERS
Meanwhile, Edgar Louise Che added a silver medal to the region’s tally when he finished second in the elementary boys 50m breastroke while several stickfighters backed Dacalos’ gold by contributing bronzes courtesy of secondary stick fighters Meka Grava (pinweight), Eula Marie Villahermosa (extra lightweight), Christopher Dela Cruz (bantamweight) and Andro Rey Piencenaves (bantamweight). Mario Liam Magat also won bronze in the elementary boys 4A-5 fit division.
Also chipping in bronze in boxing were Ariel Sibay (38kg) and Kevin Jake Cataraja (49kg). Assured of silver medals were Dominic Castanares (34kg) and Lloyd Javes (32kg), who both advanced to the gold medal round.
Region 7 also got a bronze in the team event of elementary table tennis.
In lawn tennis, Fritz Satera booked a quarterfinal slot in the singles event after a gruelling 8-6 win over NCR’s Andrew Joshua Cano. Alexis Ondoy and Jude Tabotabo scored identical 8-4 wins over their ARMM opponents to advance to the semifinal round in boys doubles.
The secondary women’s volleyball team clinched a final four ticket with a three-set win over Calabarzon.