Gold medalist Eljay Marco Vista performs during the taekwondo poomsae event of the Philippine Youth Games-Batang Pinoy Luzon qualifying leg at the Barangay San Felipe Covered Court on Monday (March 18, 2019). (Photo courtesy of PSC)
ILAGAN CITY, ISABELA -- Local bet Eljay Marco Vista on Monday displayed his awesome form to win the gold medal in the taekwondo poomsae cadet individual event of the 2019 Philippine Youth Games-Batang Pinoy Luzon qualifying leg here.
The 12-year-old Vista, seeing action for the first time in this tournament organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), scored 7.670 points to beat 2018 Palarong Pambansa gold winner Kacey Canlas of Olongapo City (7.600) and Wreily Canao of Baguio City (7.465) in the competition held at the Barangay San Felipe covered court.
"Sobrang saya ko po dahil nabigyan ko ng gold medal ang Ilagan [I am very happy because I was able to give Ilagan a gold medal]," said Vista, a Grade 6 student from Ilagan South Central School.
"Hindi ko po na-expect na manalo kasi meron po akong kalaban na naka-gold na sa Palarong Pambansa [I did not expect to win because one of my opponents won the gold at the Palarong Pambansa]," added Vista, who is a blackbelter like his brother and father.
"Tinatagan ko lang yung loob ko at nilabas ko yung lahat nang makakaya ko [I held my ground and gave all my best]," said Vista, who will compete in elementary Team B poomsae at the Palarong Pambansa in Davao City next month.
Meanwhile, Mandaluyong edged Pasig, 51-50, and Pangasinan demolished Mariveles, 77-26, in the girls’ division while Polangui prevailed over Guinobatan, 71-50, in the boys’ division of the basketball competition at the Ilagan Community Center.
Winners in the girls’ volleyball at the Camunatan Covered Court were Pangasinan over Mandaluyong, 2-0; Angeles City over Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, 2-0; Bataan over Muntinlupa, 2-0; and Mariveles, Bataan, 2-0.
In boys beach volleyball, Olongapo won over Ilagan, 2-0, and Pangasinan downed Mandaluyong, 2-0, at the Ilagan Sports Complex, while Baguio defeated Ilocos Norte, 8-3; Muntinlupa clobbered Pamplona, 13-0; Valenzuela beat Ilagan, 12-1; and Cauayan downed Pasig, 13-2, in the baseball competition at the AM City Open Field.
Over at the Isabela Sports High School, Dasmarinas outclassed Pasig, 10-1; Sta. Maria, Bulacan outplayed Manila, 6-4; and Tanauan City, Batangas blanked Baguio City, 11-0, in softball.
The swimming competition will start at the Isabela Sports Complex on Tuesday with 20 gold medals up for grabs.
Events on tap are boys and girls 200m IM (12 and under), 200m IM (13-15), 100m freestyle (12 and under), 100m freestyle (13-15), 50m backstroke (12 and under), 50m backstroke 13-15), 400m IM (15 and under), 50m breaststroke (12 and under), 50m breaststroke (13-15), boys 1500m freestyle (15 and under) and girls 800m freestyle (15 and under) events. (PNA)
