Palarong Pambansa Day 4: Davao Region finally breaks through in sepak takraw
May 02, 2019 at 10:43pm
DAVAO City - Refusing to become the second-placer for the third straight time, Davao Region went all out and went toe-to-toe against a gritty and formidable Western Visayas (WV) squad on Thursday.
Davao stalwart Mardy Asencia couldn't stand the thought of winding up as the runner-up again, especially not on their home turf. That's why when Davao finally captured the gold medal with a 2-1 win in the Sepak Takraw secondary boys team event of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa, he turned emotional.
Asencia delivered the final bow - a crosscourt hit that went off the foot of his foe - in the rousing match, much to the delight of his teammates and coaches, as Davao finally pulled through after settling for silver in the last two editions of the multi-sport showpiece.
"I knew it then then that we won. I'm really thankful to the Lord," said Asencia in Filipino after the match. "We remained positive and trusted His will."
Earlier that day, WV emerged as the best team after outlasting NCR, 2-1, in the finals. Bicol Region wound up third.
In the elementary boys, Northern Mindanao edged its foes from Bangsamoro to pocket the gold mint, while NCR ended up with bronze.
Meanwhile, NCR's Karl Yulo bagged five gold medals in the elementary boys gymnastics after lording over floor exercise, vault, high bar, mushroom, and individual all-around.
The 11-year-old gymnast took home five gold mints and a bronze in the Vigan edition of the Games. Yet he was still surprised to achieve so much this year.
"I'm happy. I didn't expect this because there were a lot of great athletes," he said.
Also in gymnastics, NCR's Jasmine Velasquez and Kirsten Calipjo of Ilocos region captured double gold in their respective events.
Velasquez topped the uneven bars and individual all-around while Calipjo went home with the top prize in the vault and balance beam, respectively.
Over at the Holy Cross of Davao College gym, Central Luzon and Davao ruled the 3x3 secondary boys and girls.
Central Luzon escaped past the home team on Gerald Santos' last-gasp three-pointer in overtime, 20-19, to clinch the gold medal, while Soccksargen took the bronze.
"My coach told me to just shoot until I get it going," said Santos, who were struggling from deep early in the title match.
In the distaff side, Davao outlasted Central Visayas, 15-13 to bring home the gold. Calabarzon settled for bronze after defeating Bicol, 21-19.
Over at the University of Mindanao track oval, Cagayan Valley's Hokkett Delos Santos topped the secondary boys pole vault.
Delos Santos registered 4.00 to clinch the gold while Ihryl Faustino of NCR (silver) and Arrel Conanan (bronze) posted 3.60 and 3.40, respectively.
Bicol sprinter Lheslie De Lima, this year's first gold medal winner, emerged atop the heap anew after ruling the 1500m secondary girls.
Camila Tubiano (Region X) nd Rica Moreno (Calabarzon) claimed the silver and bronze mints, respectively.
Source: espn.com.au
« Labor Day in Davao City 'peaceful' Harley-Davidson opens Davao dealership »
