Ilagan, Isabela—Lheslie de Lima took off her shoes, ran barefoot again and got into a comfortable pace to conquer the 1500-meter girls run in the start of the athletics meet of the Luzon Leg of the 2019 Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy competitions here.
Unable to finds shoes that’s cozy enough for her feet, the 14-year-old de Lima gave Camarines Sur its first gold after she outpaced her rivals in four minute, 51.5 seconds at the new Ilagan Sports Complex oval.
“Sinabi ko sa kanya na kung kaya niyang mauna sa kalaban, mauna na siya. Barefoot kasi siya. Baka maapakan siya. Gusto niyang magpaa. Duon siya kumportable,” said de Lima’s coach Mennen Sta. Cruz.
De Lima, an eighth grader at Baao National High School, made a splash last year in a memorable fashion when she won gold medals in the 2018 Palarong Pambansa while running on her bare feet in the elementary girls 1500-meter and 3000-meter events.
And now, she intends to make an impression in the secondary level this time around.
“Malapit po sa best time ko iyung oras,” stated de Lima, who is nine seconds off her previous best.
As de Lima made her presence felt, newcomer Mark Bryan Dula of Paranaque City joined Cainta bet Aubrey Tom in collecting four medals in swimming over at the old Ilagan Sports Complex.
Dula, who studies at Masville Elementary School, already snared the gold medal in the 12-under boys 50-meter backstroke the other day, and added three more after he easily topped the 100-meter butterfly, the 200-meter backstroke and the 100-meter backstroke.
“He adjusts on his speed whenever his rivals come close,” said Dula’s dad and coach Marvin.
Tom, who skipped lunch following the late arrival of food at their team’s holding area, got into a slow pace and still claimed her fourth gold in the 12-under 50-meter backstroke event.
The 12-year-old Aubrey Tom led Cainta, Rizal with three golds, the other day when she clinched the 200-meter individual medley honors, the 100-m freestyle mint and the 50-meter backstroke gold.
“I slowed down. Bawi na lang bukas,” said Tom.
Puerto Princesa claimed three golds in swimming after Quendy Fernandez took the top honors in the 15-under girls 100-meter, 200-meter and 50-meter backstroke mint.
In athletics, Dasmarinas, Cavite came up with a 1-2 finish when Ron Gabriel Villa heaved 35.24m to cop the boys’ discus throw gold.
Villa’s teammate Con Prince David took the silver with 33.30-m performance, with Baguio’s Kurt Errol Calalong with 30.33m.
Bulacan’s Marvelyn Canon (girls’ long jump) and Baguio’s Hussein Lorana (boys’ 1500m) also took home golds.
In archery, Baguio’s Aton Yuan Jucutan became the first double gold medalist in the sport by taking the boys’ cub 20m and 30m.
Also reigning supreme were Baguio City’s Danielle Espiritu (girls’ cadet 30m) Dagupan’s Janina Erica Dolosa (girls’ cub 20m), Pasig’s Guillana Venice Garcia (girls’ bowman 30m), Makati’s Cassandra Louise Enecio (girls’ yeoman 20m) and Sophia Kyran Manuel (girls’ cub 30m), Marikina’s Sean Jonathan Tanco (boys’ cadet 40m) and Pangasinan’s Zhyrine Shayne Bastasa (girls’ cadet 40m).
In arnis, Jharie Matthew Masangcay of Pasig City topped the junior boys’ individual single weapon and teammate Irish Rueco ruled the junior girls’ traditional individual double weapon.
In taekwondo, Baguio’s Magnus Carlus Garcia (welterweight), Nueva Ecija’s Jude Francis Rubio (light middle), Baguio’s Marc Gianne Racadio (middle) and Pangasinan’s Alexander Joseph Calpito (light heavy) all captured golds.
Other taekwondo winners were San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan’s Benedict Lance Viola (fin), Makati’s Aldrich Paul Vincent Merin (fly), Nueva Ecija’s Gilwayne Timothy Alsol (bantam), Baguio’s Raphael Jose Patting (feather) and Dasmarinas’ Prince Isaac Jazul (light).
