CORDILLERA’S Fearless Highlanders added four more gold medals courtesy of taekwondo as the region had another productive second day in the ongoing Palarong Pambansa in Davao City.
The trio of Acey Kianna Oglayon, Aesah Kaira Oglayon, Guinto Khyla Kreanzzel earlier snatched gold in the elementary poomsae group girls edging BARMM and Region 6.
Not to be outdone, the boys’ squad composed of Joshua Aaron Erece, Cye Guiller Evangelista, and Jonas Sales to rule the poomsae event beating BARMM and Region 6.
In the secondary boys, Gabriel Ivan Inacay, Zeick Andrei Tacay and Reza Rahmani Jr., also snuck the gold medal after edging Region 6 and BARMM.
The girls squad composed of Xaphrine Paijhe Rivera, Khia Mae Cortez, and Jessa Tumlayen, salvaged for bronze with Region 6 bagging the gold and the National Capital Region settling for silver.
According to the Department of Education – Cordillera, the region has already seven gold medals, two silver and seven bronze medals in the weeklong competition.
Cordillera is hoping to surpass its 25 gold medal output and improve its fifth place finish in the Palarong Pambansa.
The region is once again pinning its hopes on combative sports even as arnis vowed to contribute at least seven gold medals for the region.
Elementary coach Orden Cayso said they are hoping to give the region seven gold medals in the elementary division out of the 13 golds to be contested despite having two first time Palaro Pambansa competitors.
“We know na tayo (Cordillera) ang binabantayan but we hope we can deliver for the region,” said Cayso hoping to replicate their overall title performance back in 2013.
The elementary squad will be bannered by Caraa multi–medalists Justin Apilas and Hana Jean Walang.
Walang swept all seven golds including the team competition while Apilas earned five gold medals in arnis during the Caraa 2019 meet held in Apayao.