WINNERS ALL. The gold winners from University of San Carlos. (From left) Roneth Ayuda, Ruel Algufera, Melody Perez, coach Arvin Loberanis, Geniecel Saballa and Louie Bajan. (Photo by Jean Malanum)
TAGBILARAN CITY -- Melody Perez has won her second gold medal as Central Visayas (Region 7) remained on top of the medal tally board in the senior division of the ongoing Private Schools Athletic Association Sports Foundation, Inc. (PRISAA) National Games here.
After winning the 3,000-meter track event on Monday, Perez ruled the 5,000 meters on Tuesday, making her the tournament's first double-gold medalist.
Perez finished the 5,000 meters race in 20 minutes and 31.84 seconds. Rodelyn Onato of Western Visayas (Region 6) took the silver medal in 20:40.20 while Donna Mae Memoracion of Davao (Region 11) clocked 20:45.59 for the bronze medal.
"I trained hard for this tournament and I am happy that I was able to win my second gold medal," said the 20-year-old athlete in an interview at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex on Wednesday morning.
The 5-foot-3 Perez was born in Butuan City. She moved to Cebu in 2015 to study at the University of San Carlos (USC) where she is a third year Physical Education major.
Perez bagged two golds (1,500 meters and 3,000 meters) two years ago in Koronadal, South Cotabato. She was a bronze medalist in the 5,000 meters last year in Iba, Zambales.
Geniecel Saballa, a classmate of Perez, also contributed to Central Visayas' gold medal haul when she topped the 1,500 meters in 5 minutes and 12.91 seconds. Mary Joy Motin of Calabarzon (Region 4-A) finished second in 5:13.86 followed by Emilyn Legarda of Western Visayas (Region 6), who clocked 5:15.42.
The other gold winners from Central Visayas were Ruel Algufera in the senior boys 800 meters, Roneth Ayuda in the senior girls 100-meter hurdles, Louie Bajan in the senior boys 5,000 meters walk, and Prince Joey Lee in the senior boys 10,000 meters run.
USC coach Arvin Loberanis said he was impressed with the performances of his players.
"This is my first time to handle the collegiate team and I can say that they did well," said Loberanis, who coached the school's grade school and high school teams from 2009.
Central Visayas now has a total of 37 golds, 19 silvers and 17 bronzes, followed by Western Mindanao (Region 9) with 16 golds, 5 silvers and 3 bronzes while Western Visayas (Region 6) is at third place with 13 golds, 19 silvers and 15 bronzes.
In the youth division, Western Visayas has collected 33 golds, 29 silvers and 17 bronzes to keep the lead. Central Visayas is in second place with 33 golds, 16 silvers and 1 bronze, followed by Davao with 11 golds, 10 silvers and 12 bronzes.
Western Visayas pocketed eight golds in swimming courtesy of Earl Angela Divinagracia (800-m freestyle and 400-m Individual Medley), Stefany Louise Sa-ac (200-backstroke, 200-freestyle, 100-m backstroke), Adriana Yulo (100-breaststroke), 200-m Medley (Sa-ac, Yulo, Carla Arcenal and Danielle Patricia Valenzuela), and 400-m Freestyle Relay (Janelle Andrea and Stefany Louise Sa-ac, Divinagracia and Yulo).
More than 4,000 athletes from 16 regions are seeing action in the PRISAA National Games, which is supported by the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission. (PNA)
