AIR Force cadet Glyzzel Anne Monsanto ruled the women’s 100 meters in breakaway fashion Tuesday to cap a fruitful campaign as the first triple gold medalist in the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Games Luzon leg at the Cavite State University oval in Indang, Cavite.
Monsanto won in 14.0 seconds, nearly four seconds ahead of teammate Hannah Trisha Viloria (16.1) as both students from Fullbright College in Puerto Princesa City made it a 1-2 finish in the competition organized by the Department of National Defense and Commission on Higher Education.
Also a long jump and triple jump specialist, Monsanto ruled the 200 (28.6) and powered her Fullbright College teammates Viloria, Hazel Gerelina Anas and Jean Claire Agawin to 4×100-meter relay (1:01.2) gold medal on Monday.
Army cadet Jesylmay Licup, running out of University of Baguio, shared the spotlight with her own sprint double after she won the 100 meters in 13.2 seconds in the meet supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Office of Senator Francis Tolentino.
Air Force cadet James Borja of Quirino State University also won two gold medals—men’s 100 and 4×100-meter relay.
“I didn’t expect to win three gold medals because I stopped training during the pandemic and it’s only for the ROTC Games that I became serious again,” said Monsanto, 22, an Education senior.
Licup was also ecstatic of her victory.
“I’m so happy because it’s not only the Army that I gave pride and honor, but also my school, University of Baguio,” said Licup of her golden double in the meet also backed by the Tagaytay City Mayor and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
In online, San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Cavite swept its three matches in Call of Duty Mobile to capture the gold medal of the Army division of the Luzon qualifiers also supported by the Indang Mayor Perfecto Fidel.
Batangas State University-Alangilan won twice to top the Navy division while Tanauan Institute emerged victorious the Air Force bracket also in Call of Duty Mobile.
The 1-2-3 finishers in the athletics events will vie in the national finals, while only the gold medalists in the other sports will advance, according to organizing committee member Rachel Dumuk.