Manila proved it is still major force in the Batang Pinoy when its athletes harvested seven gold medals in track and field while athletes from the host city are standing on their own in the POC-PSC Batang Pinoy 2012 yesterday at the Marikina Sports Complex.
Dexter Pascua dominated discuss throw with a distance of 24.75 meters to formally claim his second gold medal over bets from Quezon City and Pasig.
A member of the strong San Sebastian College track team, Pascua bagged the shot put title last Tuesday to spearhead Manila's dominance in the field.
Also coming up big for the capital city tracksters are Angelica Datohan, who ruled the girls' 13-under 2,000m run; John Louie Nilugao, who dominated the boys' 13-under 2,000m run; Christopher Canilla, who won the boys' 15-under 400m hurdles; Juvilyn Perlas, who was victorious in the girls' 15-under 2,000m walk; Athena Bianca Alefante, who ruled the girls' 15-under triple jump; and Wenie Carozca, who was successful in the girls' 15-under javelin throw.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Jolly Gomez said the attendance of the participants fared below their expectations, but it somehow exceeded last year's turnout of 600 athletes.
"We have many factors for it and one of them is that some schools were concerned of their students missing classes considering the several cancellations due to bad weather," said Gomez, the commissioner in-charge of the games.
"But on the brighter note, what we have now are those who are serious in their sports programs like Taguig, Manila, and even Marikina."
True enough, Marikina tracksters continue to give Manila a serious scare as Johnniel Vargas and Lierence Sayenga towed the hosts to seven victories, including the girls and boys relays.
Vargas and Sayenga added another mint to their golden harvest as they led Marikina in the 4x100m relay for boys 13-under, clocking 51.2 seconds. Completing the team were Benjo de la Paz and Jeremie Sayo.
Rizeille Grace de la Paz, Michelle Cocson, Paula Bardaje and Kayla Alonsagay also turned in gold in girls' 14-under 4x100 relay with a time of 56.5 seconds, beating Manila (57 seconds) and Caloocan City (59.6 seconds).