VIGAN, Ilocos Sur—The Batang Pinoy Luzon got a glimpse of the future of Philippines sports yesterday here.
Young, tall and athletic, swimmer Jalil Taguinod of Santiago City, Isabela splashed his way to a three-gold medal haul at the pool of the Elpidio Quirino Stadium.
And over at nearby track and field arena, long-limbed Charles Andrei Antones dominated the boys’ triple jump, winning the gold medal without much opposition.
Taguinod, who at 11 years old already stands 5’8”, topped the boys’ 12-under 50-meter breaststroke with plenty to spare.
He submitted the best time of 33.58 seconds, finishing several meters ahead of his closest pursuers, Sebastian Castro of Camarines Sur (39.27) and Zachary Canoof Pasig City ( 40.33), who settled for second and third, respectively.
The 6th Grader at Santiago City Montessori School won two golds on Thursday. He dominated the boys’ 12-under 200m individual medley with the best time of 3.58 and the boys’ 12-under 50m backstroke (32.92)
Taguinod can still boost his gold stocks as he competes in the 100m and 200m breastroke and the 4×50 individual medley relay.
Standing 5’9” at age 14, Antones proved far more superior in the field as he leapt to 13.34-meter victory in the 15-under triple jump, finishing way ahead of his competitors.
Second-placer Mark Dave Cebino of Pangasinan submitted a tally of 12.74 while third finisher Angelo Lopusta, also of Pangasinan, also of Pangasinan, had 12.42.
It was actually a good decision for Antones to focus his training on triple jump. He placed only third in the boys’ 14-under high jump event on Tuesday and failed to make it to the final round in long jump.
“Pinag-focus po ako ng coach ko sa triple jump. Dito po siguro maganda ang future ko,” said the 7th grader at Immaculate Concepcion School in Dasmarinas City.
Several double gold winners also emerged out of medal-rich swimming event in this multi-event competition organized by the Philippine Sports Commission for 15-year-old athletes.
Interestingly, San Jose Nueva Ecija surged to the top of medal production after sweeping the Pencak Silat events for a 10-gold medal output.
Currently running second is La Union, powered by its archers with six gold medals.
In taekwondo, Baguio City lived up to its reputation as a martial arts hotbed after scooping four golds in taekwondo, courtesy of Laeia Simoune in the junior female individual event and Khia Mae Cortez and Ziek Jay Ceniza (cade mixed pair) and the junior team of Xaphrine Rivera, Kaela Dominique Alday and Laeia Simonne Joria.
Ceniza later teamed up with brother Zeik Andrei and Gabriel Ivan Inacay to top the Cadet team event.
