The secondary boys basketball team's rousing 90-73 finals win over Digos City at the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) Gym was a fitting ending for host Davao City's successful defense of its overall title in the Davraa Meet 2019 that closed at the Davao City-UP Sports Complex Saturday, February 02.
Davao City harvested a total of 170 gold medals, 125 silvers and 59 bronzes to be runaway winners of the weeklong sportsfest that serves as qualifying for the Palarong Pambansa 2019 slated April 27 to May 4 in Davao City.
Tagum City placed second overall after hauling 56 golds, 59 silvers and 47 bronzes while Panabo City came third with 45 golds, 40 silvers and 51 bronzes.
Digos City (26-26-43), Davao del Norte (14-21-56) and Davao Occidental (14-10-27) rounded up the top six while trailing behind were Compostela Valley (10-31-55), Davao del Sur (10-19-39), Mati City (8-10-15), Davao Occidental (7-8-37), and Island Garden City of Samal (0-3-13).
THIRD STRAIGHT
At the Usep Gym, Palarong Pambansa 2018 silver medal performer Vince Petdeo Cuajao sizzled with 31 points to lead the Davao City Durians, coached by Nestor Sorrosa.
Froilan Tingabngab added 17 while Miguelito Manuel had 13 markers.
Sorrosa said the finals match was not a walk in the park considering the strengths of Digos City.
“Grabe shooters sa Digos, mushoot jud sa three-point area. Namaintain ra namo pressure defense sa ilaha. Dili jud pwede luagan kay mulabay jud dayon. Na-neutralize lang jud namo sila (Digos has good shooters who can shoot at the three-point area. We can't let our guard down since they could easily convert a possession. We were just able to neutralize them),” the veteran coach told SunStar Davao.
He also said that the region's Palaro 2019 squad will be reinforced by two players from Digos City and one each from Tagum.
It was the third straight win of Davao City in Davraa secondary boys basketball but Sorrosa said it's the 15th Davraa title for the city team with Holy Child College of Davao Red Eagles as core players.
WUSHU
Over at the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), Davao City bets accounted for four gold medals, four silvers and one bronze to emerge overall champion as 2-2-1 Tagum City was second and 2-1-1 Panabo City third.
Dabawenyos Marielle Castillano, Krizelle Joy Bernardo, Geoff Bustamante and Jehazel Barbero annexed golds to join Roel Sam-o of Compostela Valley; Jeirson Jake Marquez and Mario Bautista, Jr. of Panabo City; Philip Jacob Taganas and Jeah Alexis Narraof Tagum City and Edhexson Jay Devarbo of Digos City in the Davraa team for the Palarong Pambansa.
BADMINTON
Davao City shuttlers also ruled the elementary boys and girls and secondary boys and girls team events of the Davraa Meet 2019 badminton competition held at the Barangay Calinan gym.
In individual events, Keith Veranda and Angelo Miguel Banz copped the elementary boys doubles gold while the elementary girls doubles team of Harlene Herbabuena and Janinah Jaron Panisales settled for silver.
Karylle Kaye Molina and Jennifer Saladaga combined forces to win the gold in secondary girls doubles event.
Nick Conrad Arendain clinched the secondary boys singles gold as Janzen Jeon Panisales got the silver.
The pair of Clou Bulac and Danie Purisima also gave Davao City a gold in secondary boys doubles.
Zoila Enoch salvaged a bronze in elementary girls singles.