Green Hawks, Stalwarts pace Palaro medal tally

By Mark Manez

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur -- Cagayan Valley and NCR shared pole position after an intense first day of action of the 2018 Palarong Pambansa as per the latest tally Monday evening.

The Green Hawks first struck gold in elementary girls shot put with Rahied Faith Burdeos throwing in 10.13 meters.

A second gold medal came shortly after Algin Gomez went for 6.96 meters and ran to the podium of the secondary boys long jump.

The Stalwarts of 13-time Palaro Champions National Capital Region had Christian Ampong spearing the field with a 58.51-meter throw in the secondary boys javelin throw to put them in the medal board.

Adrian Samudio also hopped, skipped and jumped his way to a second gold in the secondary boys triple jump.

Sitting third in the medal tally after Day 1 is Western Visayas with 5 medals in their region’s name (1 gold - 2 silver - 2 bronze).

Ann Katherine Quitoy saved the Blue Barons’ campaign with a record-breaking 45.72 meter throw at the Secondary Girls - Javelin Throw.

She also eclipsed the erstwhile Palaro record of 42.85 meters set by NMRAA’s Sylvian Faith Abunda last year in Antique.

Completing Day 1’s medal tally are Bicol (1-1-0), Calabarzon (1-0-0), Mimaropa (0-2-1), Northern Mindanao (0-2-0), SOCCSKSARGEN (0-0-3) and Central Luzon (0-0-1).

Over in San Ildefonso, Central Visayas, Calabarzon, and Northern Mindanao made mincemeat of their respective adversaries in the elementary boys basketball.

The Fighters made pulp out of Mimaropa Tamaraws, 88-33; the Heroes overwhelmed Eastern Visayas Golden Stingers, 72-33; and NMRAA’s Tangerine Volts plucked out Cagayan Valley Green Hawks’ feathers with a 72-29 roasting.

In contrast to the blowout victories, NCR survived a furious Central Luzon fight back before squeaking them out, hacking a 75-55 wringer.

Western Visayas Blue Barons also made great escapes in handing Mimaropa Tamaraws a stinging 61-56 decision.

The Northern Warriors of hosts Ilocos Region had to deal with Bicol Vulcans’ countersurge before pacifying it with a 60-56 victory.

In the Secondary Girls Basketball proceedings, NCR Stalwarts and Calabarzon Heroes led the march to the win column with identical blowouts.

The Stalwarts buried Caraga, 122-32 while the Heroes also made pulp out of their Mighty ARMM counterparts in a 99-27 domination.

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