MANILA — Kent Francis Jardin took the spotlight on the opening day of the 2023 ROTC Games National Championships after copping two gold medals in athletics at the Philsports Track Oval in Pasig City on Monday, Oct. 23.

Jardin, a 19-year-old student from Adamson University who represents the Navy, torched the field by winning the tournament’s first gold medal – the men’s 200 meters – before anchoring his crew half an hour later to rule the men’s 4x100m.

The UAAP standout clocked 22.07 seconds for the individual gold before he and Denmark Dalunes, Ralph Anthony Lego, and Alexander Padilla timed 43.29sec for the relay victory.

“Masaya po ako at naipanalo ko po itong mga events ko,” said Jardin, who also excelled in triple jump.

John Andre Ponce of UCV claimed the silver in 22.78sec while Peter Molina of WVSU-Main Campus pocketed the bronze in 23.02sec.

Also sharing the limelight were the University of the Philippines’ Josie Inemedo, who ruled the women’s 200m in 26.64sec, and the UNO-Recoletos team of Marla Jean Bacaro, Ciara Largavista, Jeazel Talaver, and Angelica Bacaro in the women’s 4x100m relay (55.50sec).

In boxing, Army fighters flexed their might after winning their opening bout assignments inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC).

Joelen Efondo won over Air Force’s Jomar Olisa via a second-round technical knockout in the 48-51kg flyweight class even as Alfred Deslate won by points over Air Force’s Love Heart Marino in the 51-54kg bantam division.

Mark Paul Hernandez also shone with a 4-1 triumph over Navy’s John Laurence Noquiera in the 51-54kg bantam class, Florence Sumpay also prevailed over Navy’s Glen Mark Villagracia, 4-1, in the 57kg feather division, and Rodrigo Lumogda dominated Air Force’s Nelvin Francis Arce, 5-0, also in the 57kg feather class.

Air Force’s Eric Baron also joined early winners after thumping teammate Ranie Camangian, 5-0, in the 57kg feather.

Volleyball hostilities also started at the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) gym with Jose Rizal Memorial State University sweeping Tarlac State University, 25-22, 25-18, 25-23, and University of Cagayan Valley surviving Guimaras State University, 25-23, 25-21, 21-25, 17-15.

Meanwhile, arnis and kickboxing competitions fire off on Tuesday, Oct. 24, also inside the RMSC.