THE co-hosting of the 2018 Philippine National Games (PNG) was all worth it for Team Cebu City as they capitalized on their home court edge to win the overall title over more than 50 local government units.
Cebu City picked up from where they left off with 11 gold medals in the final day from arnis, dancesports, women’s volleyball, duathlon, sepak takraw, tennis, and softball.
In the official results released by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Cebu City was at the top with 41 gold medals, 54 silvers, and 67 bronzes as of 6 p.m yesteday. The tally does not yet include boxing, dancesports, and women’s volleyball but these will not affect the Top 3 rankings anymore.
Baguio City got 38 gold medals, 36 silvers and 54 bronzes and placed second overall, while Mandaluyong City finished third overall with 26 gold medals, 17 silvers and 27 bronzes.
In the unofficial medal tally from the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC), Cebu City has a total of 52 gold medals, 56 silvers, and 54 bronzes.
Siblings Norman Joseph and Marc Norman Enriquez captured a 1-2 finish in the men’s singles lawn tennis on the Citi Green Tennis court.
Tomas Malazarte chipped in gold medal in the lightweight category 16-17 years old division and Zion Rondina in the half flyweight 18-Above division in the arnis competition at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Center.
Christian Saladaga added another gold medal in the men’s duathlon competition in Tabuelan, Cebu.
In the team sports, the Cebu City softball women’s team beat General Santos City, 6-4, in the championships match.
Cebu City won over Makati City, 25-17, 25-22, 25-17 in the women’s volleyball finals at the University of San Carlos (USC) gym, and Cebu City sepak takraw men’s team beat Manila in City of Naga, Cebu.
The final day also saw Cebu Province improving to fourth place with 18 golds, 18 silvers and 28 bronzes, thanks to the heroics of the arnisadors and volleybelles. The Cebu Province arnis team won five gold medals while men’s beach volleyball and men’s indoor volleyball added one apiece.
Cebu Province’s Kevin Juban and Jade Bacaldo defeated Davao City, 29-27,19-21, 15-13, to win the gold medal in beach volleyball, ending their three-year stint as runner-up.
Though homecourt edge was a factor, coach Raffy Briones said as long as the team has enough preparation, the venue won’t matter.
“We’re so grateful, happy and at the same time proud,” he said.
In men’s volleyball, coach Grace Antigua led the team to a 25-23, 25-18, 21-25 win over Makati City, their second title after winning the Cebu City Mayor’s Cup last week. (With Yvonne Inosante Saldua, CNU Intern)