Oro cagebelles, Futsal ladies, Wushu bets make strong showing
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- Wushu or Chinese Kung Fu, reputedly an “unexpected” event directly included in the Batang Pinoy 2019 National Championships, is poised to spark a last-ditch rally by the late-surging Cagayan de Oro delegation halfway through the weeklong multifarious meet here for the country’s finest 15-under in and out of school youth athletes.
This, after the neophyte wards of coach Panfilo Aleria breezed through the semifinal matches on Thursday morning, August 29, bringing three of them in the finals still in progress, as of 2:30 p.m., at the Holy Trinity University (HTU) near the city’s famous Bay Walk.
However, only Jay Christ Acop and Carl Sabal will fight for golds in 52 kg and 56 kg weight categories, respectively, after fellow finalist John Paul Laus (48 kg) got injured in winning his semis bout.
“Pag-take down iyang gilayog ang kontra pagdagpak sa ground nabikil iyang kamot,” Aleria said of Laus, who was immediately brought to Palawan Hospital for the casting of his fractured middle left finger.
“Ako g’yong na-videohan nga pagkatumba iyang gi-hang ang na-injured nga lower arm and continued to fight until the last seconds of the second round. He really fought a good fight and with a brave heart,” added delegation official Ronnie Ura-ura.
Two of the Wushu girls Lara Nuneza (52 kg) and Juvhairah Cagalitan (56 kg) settled for bronze medals, even as four of the remaining bets in the kickboxing-like discipline that involves grappling techniques, are set to strut wares today.
Meanwhile, Brgy. Balubal pride Rona Bacus, after taking a bronze in high jump competition during the opening day action at Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex, settled for a silver in girls’ triple jump.
Over at the Palawan National School (PNS) gymnasium, the smaller but feisty charges of coach Catrina June Pong-Biongcog turned as the crowd’s favorite to rule in secondary girls basketball after a rampaging streak against Pasig, 64-43; Davao, 71-51; Iloilo, 81-61 and Pangasinan, 90-60 for a perfect 4-0 record in the ongoing elimination round.
“Pito sila ka teams mag-single round robin ayha ang crossover matches. But the way nga lopsided kaayo ilang results mora’g hayag atong chance nga maka-team gold sa basketball,” Oro sports chief Jaymar Rivera told Sun.star Cagayan de Oro.
Not to be outdone are the lady footballers of coach Dhon Lazo and asssistant coach Jerney Miaco, who after making a 1-1 win-loss start, strung up victories over host team Puerto Princesa and Dasmarinas to barge into Friday’s (Aug. 30) semifinals opposite Mandaluyong City.
“To be honest, our first match yesterday was a tough one against the host team Puerto Princesa. The crowd was in their favor and it puts a lot of pressure to our girls which led them to do some errors in their play. But during the process, the girls were able to make adjustments that enabled them to step up en route to a 3-1 win, courtesy of Malaika Chaves’ two goals and one from Frances Sebial.”
“For our second game of the day against Dasmariñas, thanks to our previous match against the host team, the girls were able to keep their composure and execute the play properly. It was an easy win, 3-0. A clean sheet for Ellaliene Micabalo and a goal each from Mikaella Lazo, Frances Sebial and Liezel-an Catamco,” further shared coach Dhon Lazo.