By Waylon Galvez
CEBU CITY – Anfernee Lopena recovered from a poor start and bagged the gold medal in the 100-meter finals of athletics in the 9th Philippine National Games (PNG) yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center here.
The 23-year-old Lopena, who represents the National Team, could have clocked faster than the 10.96 seconds he posted if not for a bungling start that saw him fall at the starting block.
“I stumbled at the starting block and almost had a false start,” said Lopena. “Fortunately, I still had enough strength to recover and was able to catch up the main pack down the stretch.”
Lopena, whose personal best was 10.46 seconds, was able to take the lead in the final 20 meters as he bested Micael Mana-ay of Negros Occidental (11.01) and William Galceran of Mandaluyong City (11.11) as they settled for silver and bronze medals, respectively.
In the women’s side, Joselou Rebalde of host Cebu City submitted a time of 12.85 seconds to win the gold medal, while Rudylyn Fernandez of Baguio City and Cebu’s Jelly Mae Paredes took the silver and bronze medals as they clocked 13.27 seconds and 13.46 seconds, respectively.
In swimming, 18-year-old Nino Owen La Torre from General Santos City captured his second gold medal after his dominant performance in the boys’ 400-meter individual medley.
The 18-year old La Torre, who ruled the boys’ 100-meter freestyle in Day 1 of the competition last Sunday, clocked 5:08.81 to win his second gold medal in this event organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
