Santor makes big splash, bags 6th gold

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Patricia Mae Santor of Manila City secured her sixth gold medal after winning the girls’ 16-17 4x50-meter medley relay in the Batang Pinoy last Thursday at the Antonio Acharon Sports Complex here.

Joining forces with Kristine Jane Uy, Naomi Sy and Eliana Rodriguez, the 17-year-old University of Santo Tomas senior high school tanker clocked two minutes and 08.86 seconds to emerge as the most bemedaled swimmer in this edition of the annual grassroots tournament organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Prior to that, Santor also won the 200m individual medley, 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 4x50m freestyle relay.

Her only silver medal came from the 200m breaststroke as Taylor Saliba of Olongapo City pulled off an upset with a time of 2:48.03.

In the girls’ 12-13 category, Sophia Rose Garra of Malabon City completed her five-gold sweep after winning the 200m freestyle event in 2:18.37.

While she wasn’t able to break all the records, the 13-year-old Garra told DAILY TRIBUNE she was satisfied with her performance as she was able to go out in her age group with a bang.

“I wasn’t able to get the record so I was kind of disappointed. But I am grateful since it was my last event and I was still able to get one more gold,” said Garra, a Grade 8 student at De La Salle Araneta University.

“I am proud of what I have done since my goal was to be the most outstanding swimmer in the Batang Pinoy.”

Also winning five medals are Nuche Ibit of Aklan in the girls’ 14-15-year-old category and FJ Cruz of Mabalacat City in the girls’ 16-17-year-old category.

Home bet Christian Isaiah Lagnason finished with four golds in the boys’ 12-13-year-old category after winning the 200m freestyle.

“I wouldn’t say I was happy since the time I got was bad but at least I proved them wrong,” said Lagnason, who was disqualified in the 200m butterfly event last Wednesday due to a false start.

Manila City is on track to win this year’s Batang Pinoy overall crown with 29 gold, 26 silver and 21 bronze medals as of 4:30 p.m.

Defending champion Pasig City is in second place with a 29-17-24 gold-silver-bronze medal tally while Baguio City sits in third place with a 27-15-19 medal tally.