By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Western Visayas (WV) pulled off a secondary girls volleyball stunner after a 25-21, 15-25, 25-15 win over defending champions National Capital Region (NCR) in Palarong Pambansa 2023 at the Marikina Sports Center yesterday.

Jihan Isabelle Chuatico was named as the Player of the Game after providing steady offense in Bacolod Tay Tung High School-represented WV’s win over NCR, composed of players from National University Lady Bullpups.

Meanwhile, the WV elementary boys volleyball team, composed of players from Iloilo City, also had a good start as they defeated Region 4-A (Calabarzon), 25-14, 25-19.

The Region 6 delegation currently has three early gold medals in the week-long competition — two from the track and field events, and another one from taekwondo.

Jumel Dichosa, a native of Iloilo province’s Balasan town, took home the delegation’s first gold medal in the elementary boys long jump category after recording a personal best of 5.28 meters.

Guimarasnon Jian Arlanza and Jan Ford Padon of Region 1 (Ilocos Region) both finished with 5.16 meters, but it was the former who ended with a silver medal after having the best second jump of 5.13 meters compared to Padon’s 4.86 meters.

Meanwhile, Joshua Patorara of Jose Facultad Memorial National High School in Iloilo’s Pototan town, captured Region 6’s second athletics gold medal as he topped the secondary boys long jump event.

On the other hand, Ilongga Avegail Beliran settled for a silver medal finish in the secondary girls javelin throw event, while Iloilo’s Carles town-native Shanelle Jane Felomino ended with a bronze medal in elementary girls high jump.

Ilonggo taekwondo jin Nathan Lee Dedal bagged Western Visayas’ third gold medal as he ruled the elementary boys individual poomsae category.

In another result, Hua Siong College’s Iloilo Red Phoenix, which represented WV in the secondary boys basketball, faltered in their opening game after being beaten by DAVRAA, 68-58./ASC, WDJ