THE stage is set for the Batang Pinoy 2013 National Championships on Nov. 19 to 23 in Bacolod City after the conclusion of the Luzon leg in Iba, Zambales, where Baguio City emerged as the overall champion.
Baguio took the overall crown by capturing eight golds in arnis, a sport which Cebuanos call their very own as it was invented in Cebu.
Baguio’s top arnis fighter, 14-year-old Norielyn Sagun, who plucked four gold medals by ruling the girls anyo synchronized double identical weapon, anyo single weapon, double identical weapon and sword and dagger events, will lead Luzon’s arnis campaign in Bacolod City.
Team Cebu City, for its part, advanced to the National Championships after finishing second behind Zarraga-Iloilo in the recent Visayas qualifying in Maasin City, Southern Leyte.
Expected to head the Cebuanos’ cause in arnis are Visayas leg medalists Mary Micah Caballes, Kimberly Bonsubre, Ronilo Lumuntad and Luke Placyd Galon.
Aside from arnis, Cebu City will also lean on its strong taekwondo and swimming teams.
The event, aimed at discovering potential athletes 15 years old and below, is organized by the Philippine Sports Commission. /Correspondent JADE S. VIOLETA