Philippine Sports News and Updates

NAGA CITY, Philippines – National Capital Region’s Ferdinand Frigillana continued to shine in the pool, picking up two more gold medals, including a stirring come-from-behind win in the men’s 100-m freestyle in the PRISAA National Games at the Metro Naga Sports Complex pool yesterday.

Still recovering from a grueling win in 1,500-m freestyle earlier in the day, Frigillana used a strong finishing kick in the last 10 meters to nip Region 5’s Brylle Zapanta and remain on track in matching his seven-gold haul in last year’s PRISAA in Zamboanga last year where he copped the MVP plum.

The 21-year-old San Beda College standout timed 56.45 seconds, five-tenths of a second ahead of Zapanta, who settled for silver in 56.96. Region 4A’s Manuel Heartmann took the bronze (58.78).

It was also Frigillina’s fifth straight gold on top of booking his fifth meet record, breaking his previous mark of 57.39 in the 2008 Zamboanga edition of the event.

“I know I was behind going into last 50 meters so I poured it all out in the last 10 meters,” said Frigillana.

Earlier, Frigillana breezed through in the 1,500-m free in 18.46.29, way ahead of silver medalist and San Beda teammate Jericho Escobar (19.47.17). Region 7’s Rowan Fernandez (19.55.20) settled for the bronze.

Frigillana guns for two more victories in the 400-m free and 4x100-meter medley relay at the close of the swimming competitions Thursday in his bid for a second PRISAA National Games MVP in a row.

• Philstar
• Philippine Sports Central