VIGAN, Ilocos Sur—If it were a cottage industry, archery could become a major commodity of La Union.
This northern Luzon province bagged six out of eight gold medals at stake in archery yesterday to lead the way at the start of bulk of competitions in the Luzon Leg of Batang Pinoy, organized by the Philippine Sports Commission for athletes aged 15 years old and below.
Geriemee Ranchez and Francine Sophia Navor emerged as the first double gold medalists of this first of three Batang Pinoy legs hosted by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur, headed by Governor Ryan Singson.
Ranchez topped both the Qualification and the Olympic rounds of the 20-meter Boys’ Yeoman events, while Navor dominated both medal rounds of the 30-meter Girls’ Bowman event.
Francine’s younger sister, seven-year-old Frances Alexa, bagged the gold in the Olympic round of the Girls’ Yeoman battle. Frances actually made up for her loss in the Qualification round to Carleen Sophia Flores in the same category.
Completing the sweep of the Girls’ Yeoman was Kharlyle Angel Pinzon, who took both the bronze in both rounds.
One of the main reasons for La Union’s growing excellence in archery is Olympian coach Henry Manalang, who has been training young archers from this province for eight years now.
But Manalang, who mentored Jasmin Figueroa in Athens Olympics in 2004, prefers to give credit to the parents of his wards.
“Ang masasabi ko lang talaga sa mga players namin ay dahil din sa mga parents. Sila ang nag-push sa mga bata. Sa mga tournaments, mga gamit, lagi silang nandiyan,” said Manalang. “Masaya ako kasi name-maintain namin ‘yung domination sa archery. Masaya ako para sa mga bata.”
Baguio City’s Jemuelle James Espiritu and Manila’s Erzet Nanez split the gold medals in the Boys’ Bowman Olympic and Qualification rounds, respectively.
Dasmarinas, Cavite shared the spotlight with La Union as it swept the four gold medals at stake in chess competition held at the Baluarte Function Hall.
Winning the gold were Michael Concio, who reigned supreme in the boys’ 12-under, Kylen Joy Mordido (15-under), Daniel Quizon ( boys’ 15-under) and Jerlyn San Diego (girls’ 12-under) in the seven-round Swiss system event.
San Diego, younger sister of Woman International Master Marie Antoinette, actually ended up tied with Raiza Mae Locmoyoan of Calamba City and settled on top after a tie-breaker.
Fide Master Roel Abelgas, ably aided by assistant coach Arman Subaste, said the full support of Dasmarinas mayor Elpidio Barsaga to their chess team. The partially blind Subaste was gold medalist in the recent KL SEA Para Games.
“Full support kasi taga ang mayor namin sa team. Sa training and competitions, laging suportado kami. Sana lahat ng LGUs ganito para talagang tumaas ang antas ng competitions,” Abelgas said.
In other sports, teams from Pasig Antipolo, Cabiao, Pangasinan, Ilocos and Pangasinan won their respective elimination matches in boys’ basketball, while Makati, Caloocan, Batac and Makati prevailed in their volleyball elimination games.
Medal-rich athletics, swimming and boxing competitions also get going today.