PALARO OPENING. Palarong Pambansa 2023 kicks off at the Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City on Monday (July 31, 2023). Actions resumed on Tuesday (Aug. 1, 2023) with javelin thrower Ana Bhianca Espenilla giving Bicol Region its first gold medal in the prestigious sports meet for elementary and secondary student athletes. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)
MANILA – Ana Bhianca Espenilla gave Bicol Region its first gold medal at the Palarong Pambansa after ruling the secondary girls’ javelin throw event at the Philsports in Pasig City on Tuesday.
Espenilla registered 42.81 meters, beating Avegail Beliran of Western Visayas who submitted 35.54m. Nathesia Moro of Cagayan Valley was third in 34.87m.
The gold medal in the elementary girl’s javelin throw went to Baby Jane Santos of Cagayan Valley, who posted 31.27m. Julie Ann Cuarto of Region 9 bagged the silver medal in 29.17m while Jeanne Epino settled for the bronze medal in 28.44m.
In the long jump, Western Visayas’ bet Jason Patorara ruled the secondary boys’ division in 6.57 meters. Jasper Bedonio of Ilocos Region placed second (6.56m) followed by Kenn Lucero of Mimaropa (6.24m).
Western Visayas also topped the elementary division courtesy of Jumel Dichosa, who submitted 5.28m. Rhain Arlanza (Region 6) and Jan Ford Padon (Region 1) both posted 5.16m but Arlanza was awarded the silver medal for having the second best jump of 5.13m against Padon's 4.86m.
In the secondary girl’s 3000-m event, Loraine Audrey Battala (Calabarzon) clocked 10:49.7 to win the race over Asia Paraase of Central Visayas (10:50.3) and Mariel Malinao of Eastern Visayas (10:51.3).
Over at the Marist School in Marikina City, Region 3 defeated Calabarzon, 55-38, in the elimination round of the secondary girls’ basketball while Central Luzon also prevailed over Bicol Region in the secondary boys’ division, 74-69.
Meanwhile, Mary Djoana Dyan Nataño (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) clobbered Angelyn Mae Atos, 8-3, in the secondary girls’ singles event while Ivan Charles Manila (Central Luzon) scored a 6-5 victory over Gerald Gemida (Eastern Visayas) in the secondary boys’ singles at the Marikina Sports Center tennis courts. (PNA)
