VIGAN, Ilocos Sur — A three-peat for Baguio City in the 2022 Philippine Sports Commission-Batang Pinoy 2022 National Championships.

That’s the goal of Baguio City, which has so far amassed a total of 17 golds, 18 silvers and 24 bronzes in the week-long competition being organized by the PSC, headed by Chairman Noli Eala, in cooperation with the Ilocos Sur government.

Baguio City Sports Development Officer IV Gudz Gonzales does not want to sound over-confident, but he believes Baguio athletes can again win the overall championship for the third straight time.

“Sabi nga, the ball is round kaya ayaw naming magpa-kampante. Pero very hopeful kami na ma-retain namin ng Team Baguio ang overall championship,” said Gonzales.

So far, Baguio City athletes have won eight gold medals in archery — five of them from Jathiel Caleb Fernandez and one each from Jemuelle James Espiritu (15 Boys-60 meters), Michiko Brianna Gonzales (Compound Girls 72 Arrows) and Chass Mhaiven Colas (U15 Boys – 50 meters).

Lapu-Lapu is in second place in the medal tally with 14 golds, six silvers and five bronzes, while Quezon City is third with 13-8-9 gold-silver-bronze tally as of Dec.20

Lapu-Lapu City dominated Arnis/Eskrima virtual competition by winning seven gold medals.

The seven golds came from Athena Kate Sapio of girls cadet A (7-9 year-old) – Traditional -Single Weapon, Jarolyn Ycoy -Traditional (Espada Y Daga), Clarence Prado (girls cadet 10-12 year old) – Traditional – Single Weapon, Charity Tana (10-12 year-old) – Traditional – Espada Y Daga, Jack Noah Abatayo (boys cadet 10-12 year-old) – traditional Single Weapon, Johnniel Barral (junior girls 13-15 year-old) traditional – single weapon, Jomel Tana (junior boys 13-15 year) traditional – Single Weapon).

Elsewhere, Julian Lowers De Kam of Lucena swam his way to his fouuth gold medal by ruling the 400-meter freestyle in four minutes and 26.03 seconds.

The 15-year-old De Kam bested Evenezir Polancos, Jr. of General Santos and Meynard Geoff Marcelino of San Jose Del Monte, who settled for the silver and bronze in 4:26.54 and 4:40.01, respectively.

It was the fourth gold for De Kam, who also topped the1500m and 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly.

De Kam’s provincemate Kristian Yugo Cabana had three gold medals, along with Aubrey Tom of Rizal, Kyla Louise Bulaga of La Union and Jaella Mendoza of Laguna.

In athletics, Leonelyn Compuesto of Masbate ran for three gold medals by winning the girls 200m, 4X1100m relay and 400m.

Compuesto clocked 1:00.63 in winning the girls’ 400m.

She also took the 200m gold and anchored Masbate’s 4x100m relay to victory.