ZAMBOANGA CITY — Jerome Marc Dave Basin and Christine Tolin Gomobos posted the best time for the Philippine Army in the men and women’s 200-m run respectively yesterday at the start of the athletics competition in the 2023 ROTC Games Mindanao Leg at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex here.

The 21-year-old Basin, a second-year BS Industrial Management student at Tangub City State College, registered 23.9 seconds while the 20-year-old Gomobos of Jose Rizal Memorial State University in Dipolog City finished in 28.2 seconds. Both are cadet athletes of the Philippine Army.

John Barey Asdane of the Northern Mindanao State University-Zamboanga City ruled the Philippine Air Force division in 26.1 seconds and Nerisha Nicole Aringoy settled in 29.1 seconds in the distaff side.

Philippine Navy had 21-year-old Raphael de la Cruz as the 200-m run winner in 24.4 seconds with Shalora Tuahan as the best female 200-m runner in 30.2 seconds.

Personnel of the JFEM sports complex have to use 5 blowers to make the track passable after heavy downpours strike starting at 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The technique at least enabled technical officials to stage the four final events in the afternoon.

In women’s volleyball at the nearby Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic University Gym, Davao De Oro State College (DDOSC) opened their campaign in the Army division with a 25, 17, 25-14, 25-22 win over fellow Army Belles from the University of Mindanao-Davao City.

Head coach Donita Rose Buldoz said that her team was apprehensive at the start because this was the first time they played in a big tournament like this.

However, they were able to overcome the anxiety by just playing their normal game which resulted in an overwhelming victory, which they had not expected because their opponent came from the big city.

“I’m very thankful to my players. This is our first time playing in a tournament like this. After I talked to them, they maintained composure and their confidence is high already. This is a big win for us,” Buldoz expressed satisfaction.

Buldoz said that with the victory, she is expecting a decent finish in the regional qualifying tourney, which she said will boost the pride of their school from Compostela, Davao.

“I knew my players. The way they played I’m sure we will have a good campaign in this tournament. I hope we can make it to the national finals,” Buldoz added.

Exciting action in boxing will start today at the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic University and kickboxing will continue at the Western Mindanao State University Gym. Arnis will begin tomorrow at the WMSU gym, 3×3 men’s basketball on Thursday at the JFEM sports complex/City Sports Coliseum.

Arnis will also start tomorrow at the WMSU gym. The seventh sports discipline to be contested is Esports which will be conducted online.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Tolentino, honorary overall chairman, said that they still have to discuss with top officials from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of National Defense regarding the final venue of the Luzon Leg.

Tolentino, the brainchild of the ROTC Games clarified that there are cities in Cavite, that already signified their intention to host the third Leg of the nationwide multi-event meet, but only the opening ceremonies are final to be held in Tagaytay City.