PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan -- Team CdeO's 15-gold target will be put to test in the remainder of the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Championships, even as it snared the first gold in chess and some medals for other events in Day 2 action, Aug. 27 of the multifarious meet here.
As Ruelle "Tawing" Canino won the first of three individual championships in chess via the 12-under girls rapid competition, swimmers Jecifer Dichos and Crisjoren Matthew Kiunisala seized a pair of silvers over at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex.
Salvaging the bronze medals were Rona Bacus in girls high jump, siblings Niel Lloyd Sangrador (10-11 yrs old boys) individual kata and Lea Mae Sangrador (14-15 yrs old girls) individual kata of karatedo and swimmer Kyle Bryan Resurreccion.
Badminton player Jamal Panda, meanwhile reached the semifinal round in 13-under boys level against his counterpart from the Visayas region.
The Oro's U15 futsal girls won in their first match against Naga City, 4-2 with Liezel-An Catamco scoring two goals and one each from Mikaella Anne Lazo and Malaika Ingrid Chaves.
They, however, yielded to Cebu City's San Carlos, 1-3 in their next outing with only Chaves delivering a goal.
The Oro cagebelles of coach Catrina June Pong-Biongcog debuted with a crushing 64-43 victory over Pasig City in basketball.
Comprising the team are Louise Veronica Agad, Nina Joyce Canales, Xaniah Ebajay, Cheska Edulan, Razzyla Jane Lubrico, Jane Saclot, Aishe Mae Solis, Celrish Solis, Mikylla Taborada, Ma. Giordana Tagarda, Pauline Valle and Alicia Margaret Villanueva.
"They (Oro ladies) won the Mindanao qualifier against the taller Davao team. Although nawala na ilang saligando nga sentro (Cielo) kay gi-recruit sa Manila school, kombate gihapon maskin gagmay kay teamwork na kaayo," said Catrina's better half and fellow basketball standout himself in assistant coach Boning Biongcog.
From 9-gold haul last year in Baguio City, the Mayor Oscar Moreno-backed Oro delegates eye a 15-gold finish in the weeklong event for the finest 15-under in and out of school youth jaggernauts from around the country.
"From 40 athletes last year, niabot sa 121 atong qualifiers for this year's Batang Pinoy National Championships. So, naay chance nga basin ma-achieve ang 15 gold nga atong target," Cagayan de Oro sports chief Jaymar Rivera told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.