By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Negros Island Region (NIR) Visayan Vipers captured its first gold medal in the 66th Palarong Pambansa after Marjen Iwayan triumphed in the elementary girls javelin throw at the D.O. Plaza Government Center Sports Complex in Agusan del Sur yesterday.

Representing the Schools Division Office of Sagay City in Negros Occidental, Iwayan delivered a standout performance to top the field and give the Visayan Vipers its breakthrough victory in the national meet.

The Visayan Vipers also made an impressive start in both secondary boys football and secondary girls basketball competitions.

Bannering the football players from STI – West Negros University, the NIR football squad blanked Ilocos Region, 3-0, to begin its campaign in dominant fashion.

The Visayan Vipers quickly asserted themselves on the field and controlled the match from start to finish securing the convincing win.

The triumph gave the Visayan Vipers an early boost in their bid for national honors in this year’s edition of the games.

Meanwhile, the NIR secondary girls basketball team also delivered a breakthrough performance after pulling off a 61-54 upset over traditional powerhouse Calabarzon.

The squad, led by Doña Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School of Silay City along with players from the Schools Division Offices of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental and Guihulngan City, overcame the favored Calabarzon side behind a strong fourth-quarter run.

With a 1-0 record, the Visayan Vipers hope to carry their momentum into the next stage of the elimination round./ASC, WDJ