Davao City archer clinches 4 Batang Pinoy 2019 Mindanao gold medals

TAGUM CITY -- From a one gold output in the Davao Region Athletics Association (Davraa) Meet 2019, Davao City archer Kristine Madeline Ibag bounced back with a vengeance as she harvested four gold medals so far in the Batang Pinoy 2019 Mindanao Qualifying leg archery competition as of Wednesday, February 6.

Ibag, 14, a Grade 9 student at A.L. Navarro National High School, dominated the cub girls 20-meter, 30-meter, 40-meter and 50-meter distance events.

“Motivation ko to win gold, ang mga magulang ko. Di ko naman talaga ineexpect na manalo kasi iniisip ko lang pag nasa shooting line na ako eh yung form ko,” Ibag, who hails from Lasang, said in an interview with SunStar Davao at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex archery range.

She failed to win any medal when she made her Batang Pinoy debut last 2016 national finals also held here.

As a member of the Davao Archery Club, she avails of scientific training from former national team member Arnold Rojas and support from club owner Jonathan Josol who allows her and other club members to practice for free.

Rojas said he has a special program designed for Ibag. He, however, said his ward will try to sweep her two remaining events.

The Dabawenya's training routine though is so rigid.

“Titira siya sa morning ng four distances. Iba pa yung shooting lang 144 arrows sa umaga at ganun din sa afternoon plus physical conditioning and mental training,” he said.

Over at the City Mall, Davao City's arnis team clinched five golds, one silver and five bronzes Tuesday evening after the 1-2-3 medal haul Monday.

Gold medalists were John Lloyd Calubag (full contact padded stick junior boys 13-15 lightweight), Lance Jefferson Geverola (full contact junior boys 13-15 heavyweight), Leonard Jubane (cadet B boys middleweight), Ayesa Tomakin (cadet B girls lightweight) and John Clifford Anajao (cadet A boys lightweight).

Meanwhile, Davao City's girls volleyball team posted its third straight win by escaping past Santo Tomas, 25-18, 25-22.

Trailing by 12 in the second set, Irina Escandor's ace services and attacks snatched the lead back for Davao City, 22-21. With excellent sets of Alexis Quilaton and attacks of Rika Sasaki and Marian Polancos along with the digs of Khey Pablo and Cahre Nablea, Davao sealed the match to stay unbeaten.

Medal-rich athletics will get underway Thursday, February 7.