2019 CVIRAA: Cebu Niños sustain lead

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Perennial champion Cebu City Niños withstand strong performances from Lapu-Lapu City and Bohol to remain ahead of the standing in Day 4 of the 2019 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet yesterday.

After a disappointing first day of the swimming event, Cebu City tankers bounced back snaring three of the team's 18 gold medals yesterday at the Aquatic Center. TCC also registered four silvers and 13 bronzes.

This was enough to prevent Lapu-Lapu and Bohol to steal the lead after the two teams  launched a medal assault in arnis and athletics.

Team Cebu City stayed on top of the heap with 38 gold, 19 silver and 31 bronze medals, while Lapu-Lapu climbed to second spot with 30 golds, four silvers and five bronzes followed by Bohol with 25-23-18 medal tally.

All of TCC's three golds in swimming were from the elementary and secondary relay team. Niños swept the elementary 4x100m medley relay, while the secondary girls also topped the 4x100m medley relay. Patrice Tiffany Jacalan contributed a bronze in the 100-meter freestyle.

Over at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex, Josie Inemedo delivered once again for Cebu City after winning the 200m run and 400m run golds.

Mary Joy Loberanis also made sure she gets a gold in her final CVIRAA appearance after ruling the 800-meter run.

TCC’s taekwondo jins harvested seven golds in the poomsae events at Holy Cross School gym. Leading the charge were Chayena Dela Fuente, Micah Torres, Manuel Matino and Xander Palacpac in the individual events. James Arguero and Dela Fuente also topped the mixed pair competition.

The Niños also snatched two golds in wushu through the efforts of Mark Otida and Alfred Quindao.

Cebu City also ruled the secondary boys 3-on-3 basketball after beating Guinhulngan, 18-12, in the finals, while Cebu Province won the girls side after upending Bohol, 21-12.

In arnis, pinweight Denz Aaron Mayol and half-lightweight Anthony Luna won gold in their respective divisions.

Mayol also has a triple bronze in the anyo through the secondary division’s solo performance-single weapon, team event’s single weapon and in the espada y daga.

But it was the Oponganons who dominated the arnis after claiming 24 out of 25 gold medals in the anyo. (FREEMAN)