NEXT target for Davao City's two Batang Pinoy 2016 National Championships arnis medalists is winning gold medals in the upcoming Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet.
Jonathan Ryle Mata, a boys' flyweight gold medalist, and Sheila Mae B. Morales, a girls lightweight silver winner, are upbeat about their Davraa Meet chances coming from a high-level competition in Batang Pinoy recently.
"Gold jud akong target kay maulaw ko mapildi nga gold medalist nako sa national. Maningkamot jud ko mudaug (I aim for the gold, it would be embarrassing for me to lose when I am already a national champion. I will really do my best to win)," 17-year-old Mata, a Grade 11 student of Davao City National High School (DCNHS), said during Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at NCCC Mall Davao Food Cove function hall.
The eldest among five children, Mata said he earlier downplayed his chances in the Batang Pinoy considering that his division had a total of 48 entries.
"Na-stress ko daghan kaayo mi pero nalipay ko kay naka-gold gihapon maski bug-at mga kalaban. Naa lang jud koy gihugutan nga mudaug para sa syudan. Nalipay ko gipili ko mag-represent sa Davao (I was nervous at first because we were too many but I am happy I won the gold despite the strong opponents. I was just motivated to really win for the city, I am glad I was chosen to represent Davao)."
Morales, a student of A.L. Navarro National High School, recalled how tough it was for her to compete against too many rivals.
She said, "Maski daghan kaayo'g kalaban, 33 mi kabuok, nag-second ko. Blessed kaayo ko, pasalamat ko sa Ginoo (I am so blessed I placed second among others, I thank God)."
Mata, a Philippine National Games champion, added she looks forward to the Davraa Meet where she will do her best to get a gold.
"Padayon lang gihapon sa training (I will continue to train)," she said.
Arnis Philippines Davao coordinator Mario Palazuelo, meanwhile, suggested that regional eliminations be held to control the huge turnout of entries that will compromise the efficiency of judges in their decisions.
"Kapoy naman gud sa kadaghang players. Luoy pud mga bata kay dunay division nga muabot 60 to 70 ang entries, maski mudaug na og lima or unom ka dula, dili pa gihapon makasulod sa semifinals (It was tiring with too many athletes. Some divisions have 60 to 70 entries. Athletes who won five to six matches still could not make it to the semifinals because of too many players)," Palazuelo said.
