Football
National Games: Baguio rules wrestling; NCR, Navy top futsal, football events
DUMAGUETE CITY – Baguio City ruled the wrestling event, National Capital Region swept the futsal crowns while Philippine Navy frustrated the host in the men’s football finals as the competition in the 2nd POC-PSC National Games ended here Sunday.
Baguio City wrestlers collected four gold medals, seven silvers and three bronzes in the freestyle event held at the Robinson’s Place Dumaguete.
Adding to their 1-3-6 tally in the Greco-roman event, the grapplers from the far north tallied a total of 5-10-9 to win the wrestling competition.
Dumaguete City finished second with 4-2-6 overall, 3-1-2 in Greco-roman.
Leading Baguio City’s campaign in wrestling freestyle were Ismael Bandiwan in men’s 50kg class, Elvis Julius in men’s 74kg, Myler Empil in men’s 62kg and Minalyn Foy-os in women 48kg.
NCR, meanwhile, put up dominating performances in the futsal event with its men’s team demolishing Foundation University 15-2, and the women’s side pulling a 6-2 win in the finals against University of San Carlos.
Hamed Hajimahdi scored five goals to lead NCR’s assault while Celestino Ravelo opened the scoring for the Big City with a goal just in the fourth minute of the gold medal match. Ravelo also had four goals.
In the women’s finals held at the St. Louis Gym, Marigen Ariel blasted two goals in a span of one minute (33rd and 34th minute) while Karla Pacificador delivered in the 6th and 15th minute to lead the NCR against USC. Gayle Colina and Christine Mantilla also scored a goal each for NCR.
In the men’s football finals at the Pardices Sports Complex, Marlon Pinero delivered the game-winning goal for Philippine Navy to stun Negros Oriental, 5-4.
