By ADRIAN STEWART CO
University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) and Guimaras State University emerged with championships in their respective women’s volleyball categories in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Games Visayas Leg.
The Negrense volleybelles ruled the Philippine Air Force side of the tournament with a 25-17, 25-14, 25-10 straight set victory over Negros Oriental State University-Recoletos at the University of San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo City.
Meanwhile, the Guimaras-based college squad took home the Army division championship following a 25-17, 19-25, 25-21, 25-19 beating of Colegio de Santa Ana de Victorias in the finals.
Javen Pareja of University of Iloilo bested his twin brother Jansen via unanimous decision in the finals to capture the gold medal in the 57-kilogram Army category of the men’s kickboxing event.
“Proud po ako sa kanya, maganda po ang naging laban kahit medyo nagkailangan noong una. Kasi nga magkapatid kami. Pero kailangan naming galingan para mabigyan namin ng magandang laban ang mga nanonood,” Javen, who will qualify for the National Finals in Metro Manila this October, said.
“Ang mahalaga po nalagpasan namin ng maayos, walang masamang nangyari sa dalawa at natuto po kaming dalawa,” he added.
Klier Abueva of Bohol Northern Star College (men’s 63kg), Roberto Pedriques of Abuyog Community College (57kg), James Ayalin of West Visayas State University (60kg), and UNO-R’s Nelson Alcon (63.5kg) also ruled their respective events.
In boxing, Army’s Efondo Joeler pocketed the gold medal in the 48-51 kilogram category after downing Romeo Caluspos, while Alfred Deslate clobbered Christian Moses for the 51-54kg top honors.
Renz Puyong bested Klent Pareno to clinch the gold medal in the 54-57kg, while Love Heart Marino and Ranie Caringan also ended up with gold medals in the 51-54kg and 54-57kg, respectively.
At the close of the week-long competition, the Army topped the medal tally with 25 gold, 25 silver and 34 bronze medals, followed by Air Force with 23-23-22 and the Philippine Navy with 9-9-9./ASC, WDJ