CEBU CITY -- Team CdeO closed out the first day of action with a pair of gold and silver medals -- all from athletics -- in the 2018 Philippine National Games here.
Newly-crowned Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Erwin Mancao added another feather to his cap by winning the gold in Sunday's 5,000 meters run male youth off the oval of Abellana Sports Complex.
Mancao, a native of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, clocked 16 minutes, 31 seconds and 12 milliseconds to finish first place in the event.
The 5-foot-7 Mancao started with the pack, but finally broke after the third lap establishing a long gap from his closest pursuer from La Union.
However, Mancao acknowledged that this was not his best finish.
The long-legged runner had a better 16 minutes and one second in the Vigan Palarong Pambansa.
“Nigamay ako oras kay tungod putol-putol ako training,” said Mancao after finishing the race.
Mancao’s teacher and chaperon Sittie Jaya Mauna was all praising for his new feat.
Mauna recalled that Mancao was consistent in his Palaro campaigns, three years in a row, until he finally won the gold.
Mancao’s potential was discovered by his trainer Cherry Cabiluna, though he’s now being handled by Elenita Agbalog of Team CdeO.
Cagayan de Oro’s first medal -- a silver -- actually came from Lexmar Cupin, who pulled it in the discus throw youth boys division.
Cupin, a student of Kalipay National High School in Gingoog City, set a distance of 33.70 meters to beat his own Palaro Pambansa record of 32 meters.
“Lipay kaayo ko kay first time nako ni naka medal na gyud ko sa nationals,” said Cupin.