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National Games: Gadi wins badminton gold, Dumaguete bets dominate wrestling
DUMAGUETE CITY – Antonio Benjamin Gadi pulled off a win in the badminton finals while local bets dominated the wrestling competition in the second POC-PSC National Games Friday here.
The 22-year-old Gadi of Golden Shuttle Foundation defeated Kevin Cudiamat, 21-17, 21-12, in the gold medal match at the Hypermart.
Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) secretary-general Albee Benitez witnessed the gold medal performance of Gadi and was impressed with the talent that emerged in the competition, including the dramatic run of Mark Shelly Benitez in the 19-under division.
The 12-year-old Benitez beat older opponents before losing to GSF’s Justin Natividad, 21-13, 21-15.
“Hopefully we can get these young kids into the national team,” said Benitez, who tagged along Indonesian coach Rexy Mainaky to identify fresh talents.
Mainaky, who won the gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with partner Ricky Subagja in the men’s doubles, told reporters here that he has also 50 names in the list who will be invited for the tryout for the new Philippine team.
Lyrden Laborte also scored an upset win after beating the top seed Miguel Pangilinan, 22-20, 21-14, for the gold in the boys singles 11-under category. Jocelle Alvarez beat Zina Marichelle Bejasa, 21-18, 25-123, to take the girls title.
Other gold medalists in badminton were Ma. Bianca Ysabel Carlos of GSF in women’s singles, Alvin Moradas of QC-Li Ning in 17-under boys, Carl Bejasa of Cebu City in under-13 boys singles, Emilio Mangubat Jr. in 15-under boys and Jessie Francisco of Taytay-Li Ning in 15-under girls.
Jofer Escueta and Peter Magnaye of national team won the gold in men’s doubles while GSF’s Gelita Castillo and Dia Nicole Magno prevailed in women’s doubles.
Dumaguete City dominated the Greco-roman wrestling with five gold medals over at the Robinson’s Place. Razel Inyong and Vince Anthony Sumaque led the host city in winning the team championship.
The 18-year old Inyong, who competes in professional mixed martial arts, won the 55kg class and the junior 52kg division. In Open category, Inyong defeated Jerald Bosikaw of Baguio City, 5-4.
“Gusto ko po talaga maging proud ang mga kababayan ko sa akin,” said Inyong, an incoming high school senior at Siayon National High School.
Zamboanga took three golds courtesy of nationals Margarito Angana Jr., who won the 55kg open class, Joseph Angana (60kg open) and Robertson Torres (96kg open).
Ifugao’s Joshua Gayuchan won the 50kg class, Jason Balabal 84kg, Baguio City’s Orville Degyawi 57kg and Abril John Castellano of Taytay 120kg.
In men’s beach volleyball at Valencia, Johnrey Sasing and Edward Ybanez of Cebu-A beat Cebu-B’s Mike Abria and Jade Becaldo, 21-16, 25-23, in the finals for the gold medal.
The Adamson-PHL tandem of Angela Benting and Jovelyn Gonzaga defeated Erica Verano and Jusabelle Brillo of Cebu, 13-21, 21-19, 15-10, in the gold medal match.
Foundation University won the gold in men category of indoor volleyball after beating Silliman University, 25-15, 26-24, 25-19. Negros Oriental and San Juan took the bronze.
