IBAJAY, Aklan – Team Iloilo kept their secondary boys basketball dominance as they defeated Negros Occidental in the finals, 95-74, in the 2023 WVRAA Meet on Sunday morning at the Ibajay Covered Court here.
The Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix-represented Ilonggo cagers leaned on the exploits of Karl Nonoy, Thomas Pillado and Ricky Murillo in beating the Negros Occidental team, which is composed of players from Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias.
The Vincent Conlu-mentored Iloilo team needed only one win in the finals after earning a twice-to-beat incentive following their lopsided 112-92 over the same Negros Occidental team last Saturday.
Team Iloilo will now play in the Cluster Meet against the qualifiers from Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula for a chance to play in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City this July.
Meanwhile, Team Iloilo continued its gold haul in athletics with Winnie John Paclibar topping the elementary boys discus throw and javelin throw, while Rhealyn de Costa ruling the secondary girls discus throw and shot put.
Franklin Catera and Shane Bullos also added to their gold medal collection as they ruled the secondary boys high jump and secondary boys 3000-meter steeplechase, respectively.
Other gold medal winners for Team Iloilo were Ereka Pearl Fabila (secondary girls 2000-meter walk), Christian Dominic Hubag (elementary boys 1500-meter run), Jumel Dichosa (elementary boys long jump), Zye Marie Coronado (elementary girls long jump), Jhon Masuhol (secondary boys 400 meter) and Ma. Jerlyn Ariego (elementary girls 400 meter dash).
Negros Occidental, meanwhile, showed their way in tennis with golds from Herman Illusorio and Kirby Ramacho in secondary boys doubles, Jufe Ann Cocoy in secondary girls singles, Maria Divinagracia and Khenz Justiniani in secondary mixed doubles, Rylie Villamejor in elementary girls singles, Kathlyn Bugna and Abbigail Flores in elementary girls doubles and Arbie Elijay and Rodcel Largavista in elementary boys doubles.
Anthony Castigador, meanwhile, has two tennis golds for Iloilo in elementary boys singles and elementary mixed doubles with Keisha Fungo, while John Benedict Santiago won a gold in secondary boys singles.
Antique’s Jaypee Pingoy continued his gold haul in archery as he ruled the secondary boys 1440 rounds and Olympic round, mixed team with Chelsea Opao, and team event with Fran Condes, Phil Albert Niza and RJ Reymonte.
Negros Occidental’s Margaux Antonia Yang captured archery gold medals in the secondary girls 1440 rounds, 70-meters and Olympic round events, Aklan got one gold from Joshua Dalida and Guimaras also added one from secondary girls team event.
Iloilo, meanwhile, bagged five gold medals in wushu from Micha Sacatin (secondary girls 45 kg), Reshwin Terro (secondary boys 52 kg), Joshua Villa (secondary boys 56 kg), Reign Agsaluna (secondary girls 48 kg) and Reymond Doroteo (secondary boys 42 kg).
Aklan won four golds courtesy of Trish Mabahague, Jane Onayan. Aicel Isturis and Ener Planas, Guimaras also has four from Jeciel Membrano, Abegail Galia, Kenneth Espartero and Romy Marquez Jr., while Negros Occidental has three from Erica Flores, Hero Sapatose and Joemar Ape.
Negros Occidental, meanwhile, showed the way in boxing with five golds courtesy of Rodolfo Labang (youth men 51kg), Kenshin Arellano (youth men 54 kg), Leomhar Lobrido (school boys 46 kg), Jerome Lopez (junior boys 50 kg) and AJ Vicente (junior boys 48 kg).
Aklan has three boxing golds courtesy of Charly Tolosa (junior boys 54 kg), Luke Andrew Alera (junior boys 46 kg) and James Baliguat (school boys 48 kg), while Iloilo has two from Khen Cutanda (youth men 48 kg) and Zyro Parangan (junior boy 52 kg).
Aklan was dominant in pencak silat with Zyche Mae Jizmundo capturing two golds in secondary girls tunggal and secondary girls regu with Princess Kean Jizmundo and Shantal Villanoche.
Princess Kean and Villanoche also had a gold in secondary girls ganda, while John Jems Jizmundo and Clowie Kenth Recto ruled the secondary boys ganda before John Jems teamed up with Frenz Gregorio and Mickael Malic in secondary boys regu gold. Iloilo’s Froilan Tabucuran also bagged a gold in secondary boys tunggal./PN
