Indang, Cavite – Macaila Jane Requierme became as the most bemedalled in athletics after leading a bunch of Army cadets to two victories in the women’s relay events at the close of the 2024 Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Games National Championships at the Cavite State University (CvSU) track oval here.
The 20-year old Requierme along with Rackel Batoy, Bernadeth Batoy and Airish Dag-um proved steadier all-throughout to win the women’s 4×100-m relay in 52.6 seconds. Just less than a minute later, they were back in the track to dominate the 4×400-m relay with a time of 4:17.3.
Requierme’s feat catapulted to the top with three golds and a bronze medal. The second year Bachelor’s in Physical Education student of Rizal Technological University-Boni Campus, earlier wrapped the women’s long jump (5.27-m) on Tuesday and finished third in the 200-m run (27.3). “Binuhos ko na talaga ang energy ko para Manalo rito sa ROTC… Hindi ko talaga inakala na maka-rekober pa ako matapos magkaroon ng ankle injury. Pag-handaan ko talaga ito next year. Maganda rin dito sa kumpetisyong ito,” said Requierme
Air Force cadet Jhed Rome Ojeno led his team composed of John Lloyd Moreno, David Paul Balagat and Romeo Constancio Jr. in the men’s 4×100-m relay in 44.4 seconds and later dominated the men’s 4×400-m relay in 3:32.9. Ojeno of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos ended his campaign with two golds and two silvers both in the 100-m dash (10.7) and 200-m run (21.7).
Also winning a lone gold was Army cadet Joven Panisa Makilan of Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias in Negros Occidental, who won the men’s 800-m run and settled for second in the 1,500-m run (4:22.0). “Nag-5th place ako sa PRISAA sa Legazpi. Pero nagbago ngayon ang resistensya ko. Satisfied pa rin ako dito sa performance ko dito ROTC Games. Sana tuloy-tuloy na ito,” said th 20-year old second year Criminology student Makilan.
Over at the Tagaytay City Combat Sports Center, Army cadet Jocelyn Ayangwa of University of Baguio copped the gold after defeating Marey Grace Lumangaya of Capiz State University, 4-1 in the finals of the women’s bantamweight class, while also Army man Rolando P. Evangelista of Jose Rizal Memorial State University won over Navy’s Roland Medes, 5-0, of Westmend International School in the men’s bantamweight fight.
Army cadet Nicodemes Gilbert Vere Jr. of North West Samar State University also won over Navy’s Ronie L. Gonzales, 4-1, of Western Mindanao State University in the finals of the featherweight division. The lightweight bout saw Army cadet Carlo Espinosa of La Concepcion College winning over fellow Army man Juneire Sangalang of Tarlac State University.
Another Navy cadet Benie Tabaco-an of University of Antique settled for the gold following his victory over Army cadet Raffy Chagsan of University of Baguio in the light welterweight division.
In sepak-takraw at the Sigluna Hall of TICC in Tagaytay City, Air Force cadets of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City composed of Jun Eyr Padua, Reinmar Caribala, Edthic Dave Balderas won over Army cadets Stephen Kilayco, Justine Celerino and Jaymark Geniron of Rizal Memorial Colleges of Davao City in the men’s doubles’ event. Iloilo Science of Technology and Rizal Technological University-Boni settled for the bronze medal.
The men’s quadrant event also saw the Air Force cadets of UNO-R dominated the competition after defeating the same Army group of RMC with Fullbright College of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and University of Antique relegated to the bronze medal apiece.
Army cadets of Rizal Technological University-Boni Campus composed of Jomer Avarico, Vasile Muncada and Rey Lin Sobrepena bounced back in the regu event by defeating the Air Force group of UNO-R’s Algie Gestonzo, Reinmar Caribala, Mark Jason Aurelio and Rico Calidguid. Carlos Hillado Memorial State University and Rizal Memorial College of Davao City settled for the bronze medal apiece.
In the men’s chess event individual competition at the CAVSU Rollie Hall here, Navy’s Vincent Neil Cena of John B. Lacson and Colleges Foundation-Bacolod City finished with 5.5 points to claim the gold medal with Air Force’ Ferdinand Olivares of PATTS College of Aeronautics settling for the silver with 4 points and Navy’s Verk Adam Ebro of Maritime Academy of Asia and Pacific claiming the bronze medal with also 4 points.
The women’s chess individual event had Army’s Mahlah Harman of Central Philippine University-Iloilo City winning the gold with 5.5 points, while Air Force’ Phoena Jean Carredo of Indiana Aerospace University finishing second and teammate Jennive Clemente for the bronze.
Army’s University of Antique won over Air Force’ PATTS College of Aeronautics, 72-69, to capture the men’s basketball crown at the CvSU Gym, while Air Force through UNO-R Bacolod brought home the women’s volleyball title after defeating Army’s RTU-Boni Campus in four sets, 25-19, 18-25, 25-16, 25-20 at the CvSU quadrangle.
