LEGAZPI CITY – Even Typhoon Carina failed to dampen John Rods Bongcayat’s spirit as he fulfilled the vow he made to his mother, winning his second gold medal in the 2024 Private School Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games at Bicol University Sports Complex Tuesday, July 23, here.
The pride of Davao City, Bongcayat, 16, ruled the boys’ 3000m steeplechase in his first-ever stint in the event to become one of the first multiple medalists.
An incoming Grade 12-GAS student, Bongcayat clocked 10 minutes and 29.8 seconds in his pet event to beat out Region V’s Clark Samar (10:31.1) and Romel Romero (11:06.4).
“Masaya po kasi ‘yong pamilya ko sa Davao ‘di ko alam kung anong nararamdaman nila ngayon eh. Pinag-pray kolang kay God ay kahit anong bigay nya sa akin ay tatanggapin ko po,” said Bongcayat, who was coming from Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City last week.
The EMAR Human and Environmental College, Inc. standout snared his first medal in the 5000m where he timed in 17:07.3 on the opening day.
Meanwhile, Hans Iñigo Parreño bagged the first gold in the swimming event, outlasting his 16 other rivals as he recorded 2 minutes and 5.63 seconds in the boys’ 13-18 200m freestyle.
Also fresh from Palaro, SOCSKSARGEN’s Jann Mavreen Doton, collected silver and bronze medals in the girls’ 13-18 100m backstroke and 100m breaststroke, respectively.
Doton, 17, admitted she wasn’t home for almost one month just to compete in Palaro and PRISAA. The Holy Trinity College ace thanked her parents for keeping their support to her sporting career.
“Thankful po ako sa kanila, sinusuportahan nila ako sa sports and willing po sila akong samahan sa journey ko po,” stressed Doton, who will compete in the girls’ 50m breast 50m back and 200m individual medley.
In men’s volleyball, Ilocos (Region I) stunned Eastern Visayas (Region VIII), 15-6, 6-15, 15-7 while Central Visayas (Region VII) crushed Western Mindanao (Region IX), 17-15, 15-10.
