BAGUIO CITY—Nicole Marie del Rosario pedaled and ran her way to three gold medals in cycling and duathlon to emerge as the princess of endurance sports in the Batang Pinoy National Championships on Thursday.
The hilly terrain and the cold weather could not break the heart of the 15-year-old pride of Cebu province, who topped the girls’ 13-15 duathlon event in 28 minutes and 58 seconds at the Baguio City Athletic Bowl.
Already a winner in cycling’s criterium and massed start earlier in the games. Del Rosario returned to action later on Thursday in the race-against-the-clock individual time trial also of cyling with a time of 10 minutes and 29 seconds for her fourth gold medal in the games organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.
“I feel blessed and happy. I just did my best because I wasn’t really sure about my competitors,” del Rosario said. “The route was quite challenging because it was uphill all the way. It was also hard for my legs because I came from duathlon.”
Del Rosario was a hands-down favorite to win the triathlon event on Wednesday, but the Grade 9 student at the University of San Carlos battled hypothermia and settled for fifth place.
The kids from the “Queen of the South” also made their presence felt in with Catherine Angeli Yu (10:35.19) and Moira Frances Erediano (10:35.87) completing the girls’ duathlon podium.
Jeanna Cañete made it a double for the day for Cebu by topping the girls’ 12-13 time trial. She also won the criterium and massed start races.
Karatekas from Cebu province also delivered three golds in kumite at SM Baguio—Janina Narboada (10-11 girls, -140 cms), Trexie Joy Ogoc (10-11 girls, +140 cms) and Precious Avegail Belicario (12-13, -150 cms).
Jason Jabol of Dasmariñas City had his own hat-trick by anchoring his team to the boys’ 4×1000-mter relay gold.
The 15-year-old rising star teamed up with Jherwin Ricaforte, Charles Antones and Lord Angel Santos to win in 44. 83 seconds—they beat teams from Pangasinan (46.03 seconds) and South Cotabato (46.24 seconds).
International Master-elect Daniel Quizon also of Dasmariñas City collected 4.5 points on four wins and a draw to clinch the gold medal in the 15-under standard event in the five-round chess tournament.
Quizon’s vast international experience was a big factor for the 13-year-old as he edged Jave Mareck Peteros of Cebu City (3.5 points) and Reishi Boy Polan of Tubigon, Bohol (three points).
Laguna province and Baguio City, meanwhile, went toe-to-toe in the medal standings. Laguna had 18 golds, five silvers and 13 bronzes, while Baguio City amassed 17 golds, 28 silvers and 32 bronzes.
The overall champion stands to receive a cash reward of P3 million, while second and third places will bring home P2.5 million and P2 million, respectively.