Indang, Cavite – The University of Baguio made an impressive mark at the Philippine ROTC Games (PRG) Luzon Qualifying Leg 2024, held from July 28 to August 3 in Indang, Cavite. The university emerged as a formidable contender, securing an outstanding second-place overall ranking out of 51 participating schools across Luzon. With 15 medals, including nine golds, the University of Baguio showcased its unwavering commitment to excellence in various sports disciplines.
Athletics Dominance
The university’s athletics team stood out, demonstrating remarkable speed and teamwork. Meynard Galan Guillermo led the charge, clinching gold in both the 200m and 100m sprints, affirming his position as one of the top sprinters in the competition.
The university’s relay teams also excelled. Guillermo, alongside teammates Ramil Agaton, Jansen Renegade Gatchalian, and Pablo Petogo, secured gold in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events. Their synchronized efforts and speed earned them top honors, contributing significantly to the university’s medal tally.
Table Tennis and Arnis Success
In table tennis, Rudolf Vincent Andaya added to the medal count with a bronze in a highly competitive field.
The Arnis team also gave a noteworthy performance, securing three silver medals in various weight categories. Wahid Sendad achieved silver in the Padded Stick Point (-60kg) category, while Denver Aliga and Prince Jonah Villaruel claimed silver in the Livestick (-66kg) and (-73kg) categories, respectively. Their impressive showing in this traditional Filipino martial art highlighted their skill and determination.
Boxing and Kickboxing Victories
Boxing saw a mix of victories, with Jocelyn Ayangwa earning a silver medal in the Flyweight Division and Raffy Chagsan striking gold in the Light Welterweight Division, further elevating the university’s medal count.
Kickboxing was another area where the University of Baguio dominated. Kurt Grant Chap-as, John Mark Kingad, Francine Velasco, and Jenea Falli-it, all secured gold medals in their respective categories, showcasing their striking skills and competitive spirit. Gerald Ducusin added to the tally with a silver medal in the Featherweight category, making kickboxing one of the most successful disciplines for the university.
Chess and Target Shooting Achievements
The university’s success extended to the chessboard, where Nino Aron Bacayan and Ma Lourdes Gerona achieved commendable placements, finishing 5th and 8th in the Chess Blitz category.
Jen Palangdao and Aviril Passi displayed their precision and focus in target shooting, qualifying for the national competition. Their performance indicates promising prospects for the university in the upcoming stages of the competition.
The University of Baguio’s remarkable achievements at the PRG Luzon Qualifying Leg underscore its students’ athletic prowess and reflect the university’s dedication to fostering a competitive spirit and excellence in sports. As the university looks ahead to the national finals, the community celebrates this extraordinary performance, proud of the athletes who have represented them with distinction and honor.