Quendy Fernandez bagged her sixth gold medal in the Philippine National Games swimming competitions on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial pool.
Representing Puerto Princesa, Fernandez powered the women’s 18-over 4×50 meter freestyle with a clocking of one minute and 54.43 seconds.
Also winning gold were Maglia Jave Dignadice, Pearl June Daganio and elder sister Cindy.
With six golds and one silver medal, the prolific University of the Philippines Maroon swimming sensation became the most bemedalled athlete of the meet organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.
“I did not expect this would happen but I am happy to have given my city of Puerto Princesa these honors with my performance,” said the soft-spoken University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 swimming Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year.
Sharing the limelight was national swimmer Miguel Barreto, representing Bulacan province, who bagged his third straight gold in a row in handily winning the boys 18-over 400-meter freestyle in 4:03.18.
“I am just happy that we have won three golds so far and hopefully add two more tomorrow,” said Barreto, who aims to add the 200-meter freestyle and 50-meter breaststroke to his collection today in the sportsfest backed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Other swimming winners on the penultimate day of the PNG included Santiago City’s Jalil Sephraim Taguinod in the boys 18 over-100-meter breaststroke (1:05.83), Tagbilaran City’s Angel Lynn Docabo in the girls 18-over breast (1:19.95), respectively.
Pasig’s Ryann Emmanuel Suarez and Mandaluyong’s JIndsy Azze Mogia Dassion were tops in the boys and girls 18-over 400-meter butterfly events with times of 2:14.44 and 2:30.64, respectively.
National athlete June Sergio Gobotia, who won the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase earlier, added his second mint with a victor in the men’s 5,000-meter run in 15:09.58 while female counterpart Joida Gagnao was tops on the distaff side of the same event in 17:20.61.
