Ilagan, Isabela—Two Palarong Pambansa veterans beat the scorching midday heat, came within their personal bests and grabbed the most medals at the start of the swimming meet at the old Isabela Sports Complex here.
Twelve-year-old Aubrey Tom led Cainta, Rizal with three golds making her the most bemedaled swimmer on Day 2 of the Luzon Leg of the 2019 Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy.
Thirteen-year-old Micaela Mojdeh, shrugging off fatigue following her recent stint in Japan, handed Parañaque two gold medals in swimming.
Tom, who is expected to dominate the elementary events of the 2018 Palarong Pambansa next month after Mojdeh was elevated to the secondary girls division, picked up her first gold medal in the 12-under, 200-meter individual medley with an improved personal clocking of 2:37.55.
Then, she claimed the 100-meter freestyle mint with an unimpressive time of 1:37.17 after being too slow in making a turn.
She bounced back in the 50-meter backstroke with a time of 34.20 seconds, which was within range of her personal best of 33.45.
“In the 200-IM, my time improved. I’m proud of time. It’s from a high of 2:38. In the 100-meter freestyle, I did not improve. But I’m just maintaining my time in the 50 meters,” said Tom, who is prepare for a challenging stint in the Palaro after she got four golds and a silver in the regionals.
With her showing Tom, promised to show up in the Palaro nationals following her absence last year, despite qualifying in the regionals. This will be her third time to prepare for the Palaro.
Mojdeh, now a grade 8 student at the Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Paranaque, ruled the 13 to 15-year-old 200-meter IM in 2:34.91 to beat Janelle Lin of Dagupan.
Then Mojdeh conquered the 400-meter IM in 5:25.11, for her second gold out of the five that she is seeking.
“Sunod-sunod kasi ang mga sinalihan ko. Mabilis pa rin ang oras ko kahit pagod ako,” said Mojdeh, who is still recovering from her participation in the Tokyo Age-Group Swimming Championship
Meanwhile, San Jose City of Nueva Ecija took seven of 13 gold medals at stake in pencak silat.
Bieto Barol Jr. led San Jose City’s charge by dominating the early age boys action, along with Jenelle Ann Adriano and Luke Albert Capulong in the pre-teen girls and boys level.
Baguio City claimed six gold medals in men’s taekwondo with the pair of Guiller Evangelista and Michaelie Montes topping the pair cadet action.
Khyla Guinto, Xyla Alacyang and Montes added more in the team cadet level.
In women’s taekwondo, Baguio claimed medals in the kyorugi events, with Kim Manzano topping the bantamweight action after beating Caitlin Carlos of Muntinlupa City, and after Kurtney Calderon claimed the welterweight division.
In chess, April Joy Claros of Angeles City tied Alysah Buto with 5.5 points in the top of the standings of the 12-under girl rapid event. But Claros took the gold on the better tiebreak record.
Gio Troy Ventura got six points after seven round to take the 12-under boys rapid event.
In futsal, Candon City won over Quezon City, 2-0, in the under-15 action, and they share the top spot with Mandaluyong, which prevailed over Dasmariñas City, 4-2.
In basketball, Calapan City defeated San Jose del Monte, 75-60, in Group B, while San Fernando stopped Makati City, 70-67.