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Dr. Fidel Japos, DAVRAA athletic manager, was optimistic that the 485-person contingent could bounce back from a scanty performance after four days of hostilities in the 2008 Palarong Pambansa in this city touted as the sports tourism capital of the country.
“We are not losing hope, “said Japos who wished to improve DAVRAA’s eight-place finish in both divisions last year in Koronadal City, South Cotabato. So far, Davao Region has reaped one gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals in the secondary division. Its elementary squad has yet to win a medal as of 3.p.m. Thursday. National Capital Region and Western Visayas sustained their gold spree on Day 4, making them front runners for the over-all crown. NCR continued to dominate the medal-rich swimming competition while Western Visayas kept on ruling the athletic events, earning more points in the point’s system matrix multi-sport events format. With two more days left before the Palaro comes to an end, Davao Region is expecting golden performances in secondary basketball, badminton, baseball and boxing. Its five-man boxing team is expected to come out big as its all five pugs earned their ticket to the championship round following impressive victories on Thursday’s semi-final matches. Powder-weight bet John Vincent Moralde defeated Ricky Dacillo of Bicol Region via referee stop contest – outscore in 1:40 seconds of the second round while Mark Anthony Barriga beat Central Visayas Ruden Ticag in their mosquito division match in the same fashion. John Vincent’s brother, Engelbert, won by points over Michael Borja of Cotabato Region, 19 – 6 in their paper-weight class encounter while Pin-weight Glenn Canteveros outscored Jimmy Abducal of National Capital Region, 46 – 33.
Light fly-weight Jerwin Ancajas barged his way to the fighting for gold match after demolishing Libren Agapito of Central Luzon by way of referee stop contest – compulsory count limit in 45seconds of the opening round. Davao Region swept the five gold medals at stake in boxing last year. Japos was confident in winning all the matches again and that they will still hold their record in boxing. Davao Region also lost its quarter final matches in secondary basketball, softball, football, sepak takraw and volleyball boy’s and girl’s.
Davao Region’s lone gold medal was courtesy of Davao City ace jumper Jesalyn Molde who reigned supreme in secondary girl’s long jump. The incoming fourth year high school student at the Emar Learning Center Molde, 17, who soared to distance of 5.19 meters, defeated Central Visayas Irene Baluran (5.16 meters) and Chit Calayog of athletics powerhouse Western Visayas. Molde, Jumper Ramjay Carado and arnis standout John Robert Garcia provided the silver medals. The seventeen year-old Carado, a farmer’s son from a far-flung area along the Bukidnon-Davao City boundary, took the silver in secondary boy’s triple jump. He also pocketed bronze in long jump. Garcia copped the silver medal in arnis full-contact pin-weight division after bowing down to Kevin Sagubo of Caraga Region. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)