By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Swimmer Miguel Barreto of Bulacan snared a fourth gold while aerobic gymnasts Dustin Kim Villafuerte and Airam Dan Dadulla of Rizal captured three gold medals each at the close of the Philippine National Games on Friday, Dec. 22, in various Metro Manila venues.
Barreto clocked 1 minute and 53.05 seconds in topping the men’s 200-meter freestyle event, his fourth following his early triumphs in 100m and 400m free, and 200m Individual Medley at the PhilSports pool in Pasig City.
Barreto missed out on a fifth gold after finishing only fifth in the 50m breaststroke ruled by Santiago City’s Jalil Sephraim Taguinod, who timed in 29.72 seconds.
Over at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Villafuerte and Dadulla topped the male and female junior individual event before teaming up to reign supreme in the mixed pair.
They later joined forces with Clark Manalo to rule the trio event for their respective third gold medals.
At the Philsports Track Oval, many-time Southeast Asian Games silver medalist and national record-holder Mark Harry Diones did just enough to claim the men’s triple jump gold with a 15.00-meter effort.
Mandaluyong’s Rolly Benosa Olivarez took the silver with a 14.73m while national long jumper Janry Ubas claimed the bronze with a 14.53m.
In kickboxing at the Araullo High School, Baguio City scooped up four mints courtesy of Zyea Bon-as (low kick female 48.1-52kg), Melvee Paran (low kick male 54.1-57kg), Renson Cornel (low kick male 57.1-60kg) and Neil Gaerlan (low kick male 60.1-63.5kg).
Benguet Province likewise made its presence felt in the same event as it captured three gold medals from Nazarette Pascua (low kick female 52.1-56kg), Ivan Bryle Bestre (low kick male 48.1-51kg) and Jairus Aban (low kick 67.1-71kg).
In chess at the GSIS Gymnasium, Dasmarinas emerged a cut above the rest after raking in six of the possible 12 gold medals – thanks to three-gold haul each from Woman Grandmaster candidate Kylen Mordido and International Master Michael Concio, Jr.
Mordido reigned supreme in the women’s standard individual, individual blitz and team event with Jerlyn San Diego, while Concio was victorious in the individual rapid and blitz events, as well as the team blitz with fellow IM Daniel Quizon.
