PUERTO PRINCESA — Thirteen-year-old swimmer Arvin Naeem Taguinota II bagged the sixth of seven gold medals he was seeking on the final day of competitions Thursday in the 2024 Batang Pinoy National Championships at the Ramon V. Mitra Jr. Sports Complex here.
Taguinota towed his teammates from Pasig to the gold in the 4×50 meter medley relays of the 12-13 year old boys’ category.
With teammates Charles Canlas, Jefferson Saburlase and Marcelino Picardal, Team Pasig beat Quezon with a time of two minutes and three seconds.
The effort contributed to Pasig City’s continued stay in the overall medal tally as they collected 11 gold medals, nine silvers and 11 bronzes in swimming alone.This saw Pasig upping its haul to 83 golds, 49 silvers and 88 bronzes, ahead of Baguio City, which placed second (63-53-58), and Quezon City at third spot (45-43-45).
“I think last year, I was a bit better, but I got better PBs (personal best) this year, so it’s all good,” said the soft-spoken Taguinota, despite falling short of his seven-gold goal.
Two-time Olympian Jessie Khing Lacuna, who coaches Team Pasig, expressed satisfaction of her squad’s great showing and Taguinota’s efforts.
“We focused on the performances of the team members in winning medals,” said Lacuna.
What made Taguinota’s performance different this time around was that he joined events where he did not participate last year.
Taguinota’s elder sister Arabelle ruled the 14-15 year old 4×50-meter medley relays for her fifth gold medal.
The younger Arvin also took in gold medals in the 12-13 boys’ 100-meter backstroke, the 200-meter IM and the 200-meter freestyle.
Taguinota lost one gold in his 100-meter butterfly race to General Santos City’s Christian Isaiah Lagnason, who won in 1:02.35 to the former’s 1:02.55.
In athletics, Pi Durden Forward Wangkay gave Binan City a gold medal, in record-breaking fashion in the 16-under men’s 100-meter run with his clocking of 10.88 seconds.
Samantha Martinez of Davao Del Norte took the gold in the girls’ U16 100m (12.6 seconds), while Angel Villagracia of Capiz registered 12.74 seconds for the mint in the women’s U18.
In breaking, Xhiantixia Sino Cruz of Baguio City, emerged on top of the Female BGirl juniors’ event, while Gabriel Ingente of General Santos ruled the Male BBoy Seniors, and Rald Gewel Galdo of Gensan prevailed in the Male BBoy Juniors, along with Ian Gil Marpa of Baguio City in the Male BBoy Teens.
