Tagbilaran explosion

Saturday, February 4, 2012

WITHOUT any challenge from teams from Negros, this year’s regional finals of the Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) was without a doubt a walk in the park for Team Cebu City.

With just the teams from Bohol to hurdle, the Cebuanos dominated the first day of competitions in athletics, tennis and football as they completely shut out home team Bohol yesterday in Tagbilaran City.

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Cebu City won 17 gold medals from athletics, won the two team competitions in tennis and took the football title.

In athletics, the Cebuanos were almost uncontested after its strongest nemesis Silliman University did not join due to a falling-out with Prisaa last year. All the Cebuanos needed to do was hurdle past Bohol tracksters.

To top it off, the Cebuanos also got free passes to the finals in four events after not having any opponents.

Cebu City won automatic gold medals in the 110m and 400m hurdles, the high jump competitions and walkathon.

“It was discussed in the solidarity meeting that those who do not have opponents will automatically get the slot to the national finals,” said official Lyle Larida. Larida added that the organizers are trying to accommodate all events in one day. The athletics event will still be extended to today since the long-distance runs aren’t scheduled on the same day.

Leading the Cebuanos’ gold medal rush at the tracks were Irin Baluran, Ernesto Ybañez and Lorna Olarita, who were the multiple gold medal winners for Cebu.

Olarita, who is originally from Bohol and now represents the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, lorded it over in the women’s 100m, 200m and 400m runs. Baluran was awarded the gold in the women’s high jump after being uncontested and won two more golds in the women’s long and triple jumps. Ybañez, on the other hand, won the men’s triple and long jump titles.

National record holder Lindley Fran Navaja lived up to his lofty billing and won the 100m run.

The other gold medal winners yesterday were Khenly Parcon in the 200m run, Sheena Gacayan in the 800m run and Kennex Alivio and Jade Recto in the men’s and women’s shotput.

Competing in today’s long-distance runs are Karl Jeanette Malazarte and Ian Bernido.

In tennis, the Cebuanos needed some time to adjust to the slippery courts before dominating their Bohol opponents.

In the ladies event, Kezia Jabines was down by a set, before recovering and winning the all-important first match for Cebu, defeating her Bohol counterpart, 8-4. It was followed by a short doubles match courtesy of the Siso sisters Sallydine and Sally Mae, 8-1.

In the men’s side, the other Siso in the team, Bernardine, also pulled off an easy 8-1 victory over his Bohol opponent, before Kennex Abadia and Jade Labaya finished Bohol off in a 8-7 (7-2) tiebreak victory.

“It took us some time to adjust to the court but the team pulled through,” said Bernardine.

Over at the football field, Cebu City also took home the crown after the University of San Carlos defeated Bohol, 9-2.

“Foundation University backed out so we only had to deal with Bohol. This is the first time the USC football team made it to the national Prisaa. If we win the national title, it will be the first for Cebu. That will be our target, to make history,” said coach Gary Panagsaan.

Cebu City was powered by Karl Arcenas and Pomposo Atillo, who scored two goals each.

The national finals is set on April 22 to 28 in Cebu.