BACOLOD CITY– Army cadet Kervin Dinzon captured the first gold while Navy cadet Marvic Iguidez completed a golden treble as hostilities in the Philippine Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) Games Visayas qualifiers began here Monday, May 28.
A freshman student in BS Industrial Education at the Iloilo Science and Technology University in Iloilo City, Dinzon, 19, easily ruled the boys 200-meter individual medley, clocking three minute and 4.71 seconds while University of Antique’s Renz Espanueva was a far second (4:02.09).
Fellow Army bet Angela Maree Tabia topped in the distaff side to complete an ISAT sweep of the event. She convincingly beat runner-up Hyacinth Mondejar (5:24.73) in the competition supported by the Department of National Defense and Commission on Higher Education.
But the spotlight fell on Iguidez, who hails from the Victoria City Aquatics Center pool in neighboring Victorias City with golds in the boys 100-meter freestyle (1:04.58), 50-meter butterfly (31.20) and 50-meter backstroke (32.30) in the meet likewise backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the office of Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino.
“Sobrang saya kasi lahat ng hard work ko po nagbunga,” said Iguidez, who enrolled in the ROTC program to further his athletic career after bringing home two swimming relay golds in the 2023 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association National Games held at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Capas, Tarlac a year ago.
Dinzon also won the men’s 100-meter freestyle (1:17.20) but failed to match Iguidez’s three mints in settling for silver in the boys 50-meter butterfly (33.56) behind Jehtro Yaun (29.44) in the sportsfest targeted at boosting the ROTC program through healthy and fair competition.
Interestinly,, Tabia’s twin sister, Mary Angelee, capped swimming action in the day by ruling the girls 200-meter backstroke (3:58.10).
Meanwhile, track and field competitions gets under way Tuesday with five final evens at the Panaad Park and Sports Complex track oval located on the outskirts of the Negros Occidental provincial capital.
