Team Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) wrapped up the Palarong Pambansa 2023 with a first runner-up finish in Marikina City.
The Champs harvested a total of 60 gold, 45 silver and 44 bronze medals to finish behind 16-time overall champions National Capital Region, which collected 85 gold, 74 silver and 55 bronze medals.
It was a great finish for Region 6 especially that they improved their second runner-up standing in the 2019 edition.
WV got most of its medals in Athletics. Ilonggo Christian Dominic Hubag notched two gold medals in elementary boys 800-meter run and 4×400 meter relay with John Christian Orosco, Winnie John Paclibar, and John Mark Pagdato.
Karen Bala-an also won a silver in elementary girls 800-meter run, while the team up of Kent Paul Burdan, Reezy John De Asis, Jhon Masuhol and Mico Villaran also placed runner up in secondary boys 4×400-meter relay.
Western Visayas also clinched two bronze medals in athletics from Masuhol in secondary boys 800-meter run and Ilongga Rhealyn De Costa in secondary girls shot put event.
In chess, Iana Angela Sotaridona, who is training under the Iloilo Kisela Knights chess program, contributed to the region’s gold medal haul by capturing two in the elementary girls category.
The 12-year-old Oton, Iloilo native notched her gold medals in the individual-standard category and team standard category (with Charlee Andrea Manjares). Negrense Jamelin Ruth Lim, meanwhile, bagged a bronze in secondary girls standard individual event.
The team also ruled some Arnis events with gold medalists Marc Alquin Canto, Kyle Angelo Tiron, and Paul Angelo Tiron in the secondary boys synchronized solo weapon. Canto also won a bronze medal in the full contact event-half lightweight category.
In swimming, Negrense Anika Matiling won a gold in elementary girls 100-meter freestyle and a bronze in 4×100 meter free relay with Coraline Montalbo, Hyiana Kie Lamanosa and Zyra Villarino.
Negrense Earl Jude Buncio and Aklanon Jennuel Booh de Leon also won golds in secondary boys 100-meter freestyle and 50-meter freestyle, respectively, while Negrense Savannah Secuelan captured a silver in elementary girls 50-meter backstroke.
Three gold medals were snatched by WV shatters in elementary boys doubles from Joelle Kryz Agura and John Carl Almencion, elementary mixed doubles from Nino Lope Puyat and Blessy Mae Villaflor and elementary boys singles from Tirrence Andrei Belera
Capiznon Menchie Kate Dizon, meanwhile, captured two gold medals in table tennis in elementary girls singles and elementary girls doubles with Negrense Zhera Elisha Jane Gavaran.
WV also got table tennis bronze medals from Samuel Agudo and John Brian Navilla in elementary boys mixed doubles, Ember Gicaro and Shaira Keziah Puentespina in elementary girls doubles and Dirk Atilano and John Canalin in secondary boys doubles.
In boxing, Negrense Leo Mhar Lobrido won the lone gold, Jerome Lopez captured a silver medal, while Kenshin Jake Arellano, Charly Tolosa III, Rodolfo Labang Jr., AJ Vicente and Khen Patrick Cutnada took home the bronze medals.
In wushu, Guimarasnon Romy Marquez Jr. clinched a gold in secondary boys category, while Ilonggo Reshwin David Tero and Guimarasnon Abegail Galia nabbed a silver medal each.
In sepak takraw, WV got three silvers in regu team, elementary boys doubles and doubles competition and a bronze in secondary boys team event, while Ilonggo Anthony Bjorn Castigador won a silver in elementary boy tennis and Emanuel Pepito also ended runner up in wrestling.
In ball games, Western Visayas elementary boys football team clinched the gold medal after blanking Northern Mindanao, 6-0, at the University of the Philippines Football Field in Quezon City.
John Lorenz Segocio spearheaded the win with two goals, while Kurt Arnel Deoduco, Drystan Alexandrae Delgado-Torres, Jhon Army Condino, and Nathan Howard Caligdong contributed a goal each for the WV booters.
WV bannered by Bacolod Tay Tung High School also dethrones rival National Capital Region to win the gold medal in the secondary volleyball girls, 18-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-16, 18-16.
WV elementary girls volleyball, also represented by Bacolod Tay Tung High School, captured the elementary division crown with a 25-18, 25-16 straight set win over CARAGA team in the finals.IMT Sports
