Carmeli bags 5 golds in PNG, makes nat’l team

After failing to win a single gold medal in the recent Palarong Pambansa, bemedalled Cebuana rhythmic gymnast Carmeli Garovillo pulled off a big bounce back performance in the Philippine National Games (PNG) yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

Garovillo harvested five golds in the seniors’ category (16-years-old above), topping the individual all-around, hoop, clubs, ribbon and ball exercises in rhythmic gymnastics.

“It felt good na nakabawi ko. I did my best in Palaro but I think it wasn’t just enough,” said Garovillo, who represented Whyn’s Gymnastics Prodigy.

Garovillo was denied of a gold in the recent Palaro held in Lingayen, Pangasinan where she settled for four silvers and a bronze.

Although she had an unproductive stint in Palaro, she said her morale was still high going into the PNG. Last year, Garovillo won five gold medals in the Palarong Pambansa held in Dapitan City, Zamboanga.

“I still felt confident. I just had to change some routines and master it for a matter of days only. I just told myself to just do what I practiced and everything will follow. I just tried to enjoy the game,” said Garovillo.

Whyn Reroma, Garovillo’s coach, said his ward’s stellar performance in the PNG earned her a slot to the national team.

Garovillo is now part of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines whose members represent the country in international competitions.

“The PNG serves as a qualifying tournament for the Philippine Team,” said Reroma.

Garovillo went up against gymnasts from General Santos, Pasig and Muntinlupa.

“I only had five opponents but I was still nervous since they were all good,” said Garovillo.

Winning gold in the ribbon exercise in the juniors’ category (13-16 years old) was Mikaela Silverio from the University of the Philippines-Foundation.

Silverio also won silver in the hoop, ball, clubs and individual all-around.