Pasig City: Swimmer Arvin Naeem Taguinota II bagged two more golds Wednesday as Pasig City remained on top of the medal tally board in the Batang Pinoy National Championships here. The 13-year-old Pasigueño ruled the boys 12-13 100m backstroke in 1:04.30, beating Richard Nielson Navo of Cavite City (1:05.52) and Felix Alemania III of Kidapawan City (1:08.03) at the Ramon V. Mitra Jr. Sports Complex pool.
According to Philippines News Agency, Taguinota won his fifth gold medal in the 4x50m freestyle relay event with teammates Ricardo Delgado, Marcelino Picardo III, and Jefferson Saburlase. The team clocked 1:47.44, while Aklan’s team, composed of Jose Marco Bassig, Johan Pablo Angelo Gomez, Johann Miles Pelayo, and Rhomrick John Cister, took the silver medal in 1:55.02. Puerto Princesa City’s team, consisting of Chrysologo Dela Cruz, Ethan Drake Laurigue, Lary Jay Pilapil, and Zosimo Josef Tovera, secured the bronze in 1:56.71.
Taguinota’s earlier victories included golds in the 100m freestyle, 100m butterfl
y, and 200m backstroke events. Meanwhile, John Jeremy Villanueva excelled in the boys 14-15 100m backstroke, and the boys 14-15 4x50m freestyle team of Rafael Lentejas III, Antonio Joaquin Reyes, Miguel Luis Martinez, and Admiel Percy Sajise also emerged victorious for Pasig. This success contributed to Pasig City amassing 46 golds, 27 silvers, and 48 bronzes as of 4 p.m.
In the overall standings, Baguio City, the 2023 champion, ranked second with 32 golds, 32 silvers, and 38 bronzes, while Quezon City followed with 27 golds, 24 silvers, and 35 bronzes. In other events, Ariel Cabral and Jana Jelena Nicole Diaz of General Trias were crowned singles champions in lawn tennis. Cabral defeated Chad Connor Cuizon of Lapu-Lapu City, 6-3, 6-1, while Diaz triumphed over Cadee Jan Dagoon of Olongapo City, 6-1, 6-0, in the finals. Additionally, Juan Carlos Pabillore and Faith Kiarrah Banico of Quezon City claimed the mixed doubles gold medal over Tristan Japson and Kiana Mesa of Davao City.
