Quendy Fernandez made up for her stunning loss earlier in the day to rule the women’s 18-over 200-meter backstroke event, becoming the first quadruple gold medalist in the Philippine National Games at the Philsports pool in Pasig City yesterday.
In a heated encounter between the University of the Philippines varsity squad teammates, Atasha dela Torre foiled Fernandez’s bid for a fourth straight gold in the women’s 18-over 50-meter freestyle after wins in the 50-meter butterfly, 100-meter backstroke and relay events the previous day.
Representing Ormoc City, Leyte, Dela Torre defeated Fernandez by touch in winning the women’s 18-over freestyle event with a time of 28.04 seconds to the latter’s 28.16 seconds in the sportsfest organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.
It was Dela Torre’s second gold medal in three days, counting her victory in the women’s 18-over 100-meter freestyle last Monday, in the meet backed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Representing Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Fernandez, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 Swimming Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year, shrugged off the setback an hour or so later in romping off with the mint in the women’s 18-over 200-meter backstroke in time of 2:29.52.
”I am very happy for Atasha. It was a close race but it only inspired me to do better in the 200-meter backstroke,” Fernandez, who missed her medal ceremony because she had to rush back to UP Diliman to complete some school requirements, said.
“I am super happy for this second gold and for representing my city as well as my school,” said Dela Torre, who also won a bronze medal in 50-meter freestyle event, as she and her UP teammate joined the ranks of having won more than three medals in the sportsfest.
Halfway through the meet and on a day when female athletes flexed both their mental and physical muscles, Women International Master Kylen Mordido also stood out in chess at the GSIS building in Pasay City.
Riding on a six-match winning streak entering the seventh and final round, Mordido, representing Dasmarinas, wound up her campaign with a draw against Mandaluyong’s Francoise Marie Magpily to top the women’s individual standard event in chess with 6.5 points.
