By MARK REY MONTEJO
LEGAZPI CITY – The sun finally showed up and swimmer Peter Cyrus Dean took full advantage of the ideal playing condition to win his fourth gold medal in the 2024 Private Schools Athletics Association (PRISAA) National Games at Bicol University Sports Complex Wednesday, July 24.
Fresh from his stellar campaign in Cebu City’s Palarong Pambansa, the 16-year-old Dean of CALABARZON (Region IV-A) clocked 1 minute and 1.88 seconds to top the 100m backstroke. He earlier reigned in 200m backstroke, 400m individual medley and 4x50m medley relay of boys’ swimming category.
Dean schooled Region IX’s Theo Ituralde (1:04.96) and Region VI’s Mateo Sion Palero (1:06.81).
“Sobrang sarap po sa feeling na nagpi-paid off na po ‘yong mga pinaghirapan ko sa training,” said the standout from Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation.
The Lucena City native, who produced 5 gold and 2 silver medals in the Palaro, hopes to join the Philippine youth swimming team.
“This upcoming August po meron po kaming national tryouts and do’n po magkakaalam [kung] sino pong makakasama sa junior national team,” he added.
Over at SM City Legazpi where taekwondo was held, NCR’s Cy Aldous Espinoza (fin), Region VI’s Enzo Cape (fly), Justine James Diasnes (light) and Kyle Chin (feather), Region IX’s Kyle Aburot (bantam), and Region IV-A’s Clark John Abarquez (welter) ruled their respective categories in boys’ kyorugi.
The girls’ kyorugi events were ruled by Region VI’s Hannah (fin) and Diana Dello (fly), Sheine De Asis (lgiht) and Mary Alim (bantam), Region X’s Marrione Olarte (feather), and Eira Gador (welter).
In men’s volleyball, Ilocos dismantled CAR, 15-12, 15-7, while Region VI annihilated Region VII, 15-10, 15-8.
The finals for basketball and volleyball are on Friday, July 26.
As of 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, Central Visayas (Region VII) was leading the way in the medal tally with30 golds, 15 silvers and 15 bronzes.
Host Bicol (Region V) is running second with 29-19-16 followed by Cordillera Administrative Region (23-15-16), CALABARZON (20-2-10) and Western Visayas (16-16-15).
