Cebu City on brink of PNG dominance

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City moved within the threshold of claim-ing the overall supremacy in the Philippine National Games (PNG) after padding its medal haul to 42 golds, 52 silvers and 54 bronzes going into the final day of week-long sports conclave among the country's elite and topnotch athletes held mainly at the Cebu City Sports Center.

As Cebu City continued to perch atop the leaderboard, Baguio City suddenly got back its second place position with 31 golds, 29 silvers and 37 bronzes, thanks mostly to its athletics and martial arts bets. Mandaluyong City is back at third spot with a 22-12-13 medal haul followed by General Santos (16-22-25) and Zamboanga City (14-6-13 gilts).

Cebu City was expected to produce more golds yesterday but could only get four gilts along with four silvers and eight bronzes.

Norman Joseph Enriquez and Zethley Mae Alferez bested the top-seeded Tracy Llamas and Marc Anthony Alcoseba of PSTA, 6-4, 6-3, to win gold medal for Cebu City in mixed doubles event of tennis competition at CitiGreen Tennis Resorts in Barangay Punta Princesa.        

Enriquez hopes to end his PNG bid with a golden treble when he faces his kuya Marc Norman in the men’s finals today.

“I really didn’t expect I would come this far because there are a lot of strong players, but I’m happy I did it. Though I’d be playing with my brother, I know it’s still going to be a tough match,” said  NJ Enriquez.

Over at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, bantamweight Dexler Bolambao grabbed another gold in arnis via the live stick sparring event.

Cebu City’s two other golds came from karatedo and arnis. Earl Justin Perez bagged gold in the men’s 61 kgs. kumite at SM Seaside City.

Aileen Lazarte and Sidney Earl Metante grabbed one silver each, while the likes of Geselle Descatin, Kesia Ruth Labiaga, Lhiel Mark Ricablanca, James Ryan Polangco and playing coach Sugay Rey Metante handed bronze medals.

Loralee Nativad ended Cebu City’s campaign in taekwondo with a silver via the senior bantamweight division.

Cebu City’s bets turned over one silver courtesy of Diana Oliverio and bronze from Fausto Zeus Comaingking.              

In Danao City, cyclists Rhyke Armas and Ana Patricia “Ica” Maximo won a bronze medal each in the under-23 age group of the criterium race.

In badminton, the co-host city could only managed two bronzes behind the efforts of Android Rose Tingson, Dexter Opalla and James Ryan Villarante.