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Friday, March 29, 2024

Iloilo bet, barefoot Bukidon trackster hog Palaro spotlight

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SAN Jose de Buenavista, Antique—Two teenagers who want to become police officers someday struck gold for the first time in their lives.

One broke a meet record and while the other ran barefoot and upset a multi-titled champion in athletics on Day 3 of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa Monday at the Binirayan Sports Complex track stadium.

James Lozanes, a prized find from Iloilo City hurled the 700-gram spear by 59.46 meters in the secondary boys javelin throw to break  a three-year record.

Meanwhile, Jay Ann Lapasano used brown plaster tape to protect her feet on the hot rubberized turf, with a blazing morning sun above her. She picked up speed in the last 750 meters to overtake and stun three-time champion Jie Ann Calis in the women’s 3000-meter run.

The 17-year-old Lapasano,  who is from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, reached the finish line in 10 minutes, 32.67 seconds to hand Region 10 its first gold in the secondary girls’ division.

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Lozanes’ effort handed Region VI its first gold.

Officials were confused since a 700-gram spear was last used in the games in 2013.

Bryan Pacheco of the Central Luzon set the first record with a 700-gm spear in 2013 with a throw of 57.81 meters.

Current documents show that there are existing meet records using spears of 600-gm and 800-gm in weight.

“Focus lang,” said Lozanes, a fisherman’s son, who only began competing this year. He expressed his desire to be a police officer, along with Lapasano.

Lapasano, who hails from Alae, Cagayan de Oro, chose to run with her feet covered in mediplast. She came ahead by some 8.48 seconds ahead of Calis, who used to run for Davao City before she became part of the National Capital Region.

Calis, who joined NCR when she accepted a senior high school scholarship with University of Santo Tomas, got off to a fast start very early, and led most of way before she slowed down.

“Hindi ako nagsapatos. Hindi ako sanay,” said Lapasano who followed instruction from coach Mavycel Alecer not to move ahead early.

Calis, who won it thrice before she lost to Davao’s Mea Gey Ninura last year, clocked 10:41.15, while Junaliza Abutas of Region 1 took the bronze in 10:44.68.

Cezar Fernandez of Negros Region and Region I’s Kent Celeste both cleared 1.90 meters, but Fernandez took the secondary boys’ high jump gold after his rival fouled on two of his three attempts.

Sally Jose took home the secondary girls’ shot put gold for Region IV-A with a heave of 10.7 meters, with Rhealyn Decosta (Region VI) took the silver (9.98 meters) and Juwelisa Surabosing (region 10) claimed the bronze in 9.43 meters.

Meanwhile, the swimming competitions will begin today with eight golds at stake in the secondary division and another eight on tap in the elementary side.

In the ball games, NCR posted two straight wins in the secondary boys basketball action, first with an 87-84 win over Zamboanga Province before crushing MIMAROPA, 69-28.

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