Almalbis happy for golden performance in PRISAA

The 14-year-old runner from Capiz province has contributed to the gold medal haul of the Western Visayas region after winning the girls’ 100-meter hurdles event. (Photo: Pete/ Flickr)

IBA, ZAMBALES–Kyla Marie Almalbis is optimistic of winning more medals in the ongoing Private Schools Athletic Association Sports Foundation, Inc. (PRISAA) National Games at the Zambales Sports Complex.

The 14-year-old runner from Capiz province has contributed to the gold medal haul of the Western Visayas region after winning the girls’ 100-meter hurdles event.

Almalbis, who was born and raised in Barangay Culasi in Roxas City, clocked 16.75 seconds to beat Francis Gabriele Aldaba of Negros Island Region (17.62) and Clarymel Cabildo of the Cagayan Valley region (17.97).

“Masayang-masaya po ako dahil nakakuha ulit ako ng gold medal (I am elated because I bagged another gold medal),” Almalbis told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday.

Almalbis debuted in the PRISAA last year, winning the same event when the tournament was held in Koronadal, South Cotabato. In 2015, she won the silver in the 2015 Palarong Pambansa in Tagum, Davao del Norte.

“Nagpapasalamat rin po ako sa mga magulang ko dahil sa pagsuporta nila sa akin (I also thank my parents for their support),” said the incoming Grade 9 student from Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion.

Almalbis will compete in three more events — 400-meter hurdles, 4×100 relay and 4×400 relay.

Meanwhile, Western Visayas ruled the men’s, boys’ and girls’ long jump, and women’s 100-meter hurdles to increase its gold medal collection to eight.

Joebert Gabiota won the men’s long jump gold with a distance of 6.87 meters. Martin James Esteban of the Central Luzon region measured 6.80 meters for the silver, while Ronaldo Caasi of the Ilocos region got the bronze in 6.62 meters.

In the boy’s long jump, Alter Balogo placed first with 6.04 meters, followed by Rick Angelo Sotto of the Central Visayas region with 6.01 meters, and Francis Castillo of the Northern Mindanao region with 5.48 meters.

Shainne Lou Rosas topped the girls’ long jump in 4.79 meters. Antonette Jay Aguilion of Negros Island Region (NIR) was second in 4.72 meters, followed by teammate Erika Marie Kee (4.68 meters).

Reogen dela Cruz clocked 16.53 seconds to win the gold in the women’s 100-meter hurdles. Pamela Fondevilla of the Calabarzon region took the silver in 16.59 seconds, while Roneth Ayuda of the Central Visayas region registered 16.65 seconds for the bronze.

Calabarzon garnered four golds coming from Raffy Kalaw, Robert Francisco, Ralph Gesulgon and Felyn Dolloso.

Kalaw got the gold medal in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase in 9:51:22. Reynante Torio of the Ilocos region placed second in 10:00.79 and Axl Catalbas was third in 10:05.46.

Francisco topped the men’s 110-meter hurdles in 14.34 seconds. Wowie Almeria of the Davao region took the silver in 15.30 seconds, followed by Kim Brian Longarit of Central Visayas (15.38 seconds).

Gesulgon captured the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw with a distance of 54.69 meters. Apolonio Damondon of Ilocos got the silver in 52.49 meters, while Jun-Jun Domingo won the bronze in 54.61 meters.

Dolloso registered 5.76 meters to win the men’s long jump. Jamesa Espinosa of Cagayan Valley finished second with 5.07 meters, while Anna Rose Aquino was third with 4.96 meters.

Cagayan Valley won the women’s javelin throw courtesy of Roam Joy Mercado (32.13 meters). Karies Recodo (Davao) finished second with 31.72 meters, followed by Laila Mangaraan (Ilocos) with 30.86 meters.

The boys’ javelin throw gold medal also went to Cagayan Valley after Reynaldo Joseph Casa submitted 35.16 meters. Chestair Mabuhay of Western Visayas was second with 34.14 meters, followed by Chris Kyle Mehila of Northern Mindanao with 21.64 meters.

Edward Josh Buenavista of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) won the gold in the boys’ 3,000-meter steeplechase in 10:31.20. Jomel Villanueva of Mimaropa got the silver in 11:52.43 while Lorenzo Cenzon of CAR took the bronze in 13:56.59.