TAGBILARAN City, Province of Bohol -- The Davao Region senior karatekas harvested a total of 11 gold medals, three silvers and seven bronzes yesterday at the PMI Colleges Bohol here to emerge overall champion anew in the National Private School Athletic Association (Prisaa) Games 2018.
Davao Region was hailed overall champion in karatedo event last 2016 in Koronadal, South Cotabato but failed to defend the crown in Iba, Zambales last year.
Shinji Tacay, Jammel Taunan and Davie John Escala led the men's team that was also composed of Vincent Layog Louise John Decrepito, Mark Gild Yriarte and Marcelino Buscabos.
"We gave everything we can kasama ang Panginoon. Team work kasi yan eh,we have our own responsibilities as a teammate. We promised each other grab the opportunity while it’s still there," Tacay said on winning the team event.
Escala, meanwhile, couldn't believe that he will be able to provide the much-needed win in the best-of-five matches team event.
"Pasalamat kaayo ko sa Ginoo kay gihatagan ko niyag strength kay naa sa akoa nakasalalay amoang kadaugan. Ni pray jud ko sa Ginoo na tabangan ko niya para mabawi nako akoang pagka pildi sa individual kumite (I'm thankful to God for giving me strenth since the team's victory relied on me. I prayed to God for help so I can make up for my loss in the individual event)," he said.
Tacay also won the men's +84kg individual kumite gold while Layog emerged champion in the men's -75kg kumite and Taunan ruled the men's -60kg kumite. Rudelyn Gregorio lorded over her rivals in the women's -68kg kumite to complete the 11-gold output of the region.