Indang, Cavite – Navy cadet Mary Rose Frias became the first gold medalist in the 2024 Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC) winning the women’s 1,500-meter run on Tuesday at the State University track and field oval here.
The 20-year-old Frias, a second-year Business Administration student at Virgin Melagros University in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, maintained poise and exposure throughout to cross the finish line in 5:07.2 at the start of the athletics competition.
Coming off a two-gold medal hauled in the just concluded 2024 PRISAA national championships in Legazpi City, Fries tries to duplicate her feat with a top podium finish in the 800-m run Wednesday morning, where she will be pitted against the best cadets from the Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force.
“Very thankful ako kay God, hindi ako nabigo. Marami kasing expectations sa akin pagkatapos ng PRISAA. Nakakahiya kong matalo ako. Malakas naman ang confidence ko sa sarili. Alam kong mananalo ako,” said the Malsiqui, Pangasinan pride.
Navy teammate and classmate Mary Ann de los Reyes finished second (5:11.7) followed by Air Force cadet Ciara Largavista of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City (5:22.7).
Air Force cadet Ronnel Gonzales of the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa clinched the gold in the men’s 1,500-m run clocking 4:19.0 to beat Army men Joven Panisa Makilan of Collegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (4:22.0) and A.J.R. Calago of Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Dipolog (4:23.1).
Macailla Jane Require gave the Army its first top podium finish as the Rizal Technological University student leaped 5.27 meters to win the women’s long jump. Air Force cadet Marla Jean Ramos Bacaro of UNO-R settled for second at 5:11 and another Army cadet Rodela Aros of the University of Antique finished third at 5:08.
Over at the De La Salle University swimming pool in Dasmarinas City, Cavite, cadet Kirk Dominique Reyes, and cadet Kayla Janelle Chua captured three golds apiece to lead the Philippine Navy’s eight gold hauls in the first day of aquatic competition.
The 18-year-old Reyes of De La Salle Taft won the gold in the men’s 200-m individual medley in 2:35.23 and men’s 50-m butterfly in 27.14 seconds. His third gold came from the men’s 200-m breaststroke in 2:43.20.
Chua, likewise, dominated the women’s 100-m freestyle in 1:03.87 and the 50-m butterfly (31.44). She also clinched the gold in the 50-m backstroke in 33.82.
Another Navy cadet Althea Gem Villapena of Yanbu Elite International School in Lucena City claimed the women’s 200-m individual medley in 3:08.96 and Marvic Iguidez of the JBLFMU Maritime School in Iloilo won the men’s 50-m backstroke in 31.77-second.
The Army Enforcers share the limelight with Benjie JR Manto Jr. of Rizal Technological University topped the men’s 100-m freestyle (1:00.26), while schoolmate Diosa Mae Fructoso claimed the women’s 200-m breaststroke in 3:45.45.
