Calabarzon shines in chess, swimming to take lead in Palarong Pambansa medal race

Region IV-A (CALABARZON) took home a number of medals from chess and swimming as the Heroes claimed the top spot from the powerhouse National Capital Region in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina.

Most of Calabarzon's medal haul came from chess and swimming events, which saw the region climb to 19 gold medals, 17 silver, and 13 bronze in the tally as of Wednesday night while NCR came in second with 16 gold, 18 silver, and 15 bronze.

Calabarzon took home three golds in chess as Jaymiel Piel and Mark Jay Bacojo ruled the elementary and secondary categories while the latter linked up with Rigil Kent Rosell Pahamtang to win the secondary boys team event.

The duo of Franchesca Largo and Jerlyn Mae San Diego, meanwhile, settled for bronze in the secondary girls chess team event.

Calabarzon also copped golds in swimming with 18-year-old Matthew Thomas Alumbres topping the secondary boys' 200m freestyle with a time of 1:59.48 while Hugh Alberto Parto clocked in 29.1 seconds to claim the gold in elementary boys 50m butterfly.

Francis Espiritu of Region 11 claimed gold as he ruled the secondary boys 200m IM with a 2:14.27-finish, while he also ruled the secondary boys 50m breastroke after clocking in 30.25 seconds.

In athletics, John Joshua Carbayar emerged victorious in the elementary boys' shot put event with 10.10m output.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News