NO wonder Quendy Fernandez emerged as the UAAP Season 86 swimming MVP and top rookie last month.
Fernandez, carrying the colors of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, swept her two events yesterday to emerge as the second double gold medalist in the Philippine National Games.
A day after Miguel Barreto of Bulacan earned the distinction of being the first multiple gold medalist in the games organized by the Philippine Sports Commission, Fernandez emerged from the Philsports pool in Pasig with gold medals in the women’s 18-and-over 50-meter butterfly and 100-meter backstroke events.
In a race that went down the wire, the UP Diliman freshman narrowly beat Mandaluyong’s Jinzy Azze Dasion in the 50-meter butterfly, clocking 29.34 seconds to the latter’s 29.93.
After a nerve-wracking outing in her first contest, Fernandez handily ruled the 100-meter backstroke in 1:07.66, nearly five seconds faster than Pasig’s Shane Francine Lugay (1:11.66) while elder sister and teammate Cindy took the bronze (1:11.76).
“I was not really expecting this because this is my first PNG so I am extremely happy. Hopefully, I can add more,” said Fernandez, 18, who marked her swimming debut for the UP Maroons last November with victories in the women’s 50, 100 and 200-meter backstroke events.
The daughter of a Palawan city government employee, the swimmer dedicated her accomplishments to her late Palawan Swimming Club coach Toyskie Dalisay, who passed away due to a heart attack last year.
Like Barreto, Fernandez tries to add more mints to her collection today in the 50 and 200-meter backstroke races and the 4×50-meter freestyle relay the next day.
Makati’s Joshua Gabriel Ang topped the boys 18-and-over 50-meter butterfly (25.10) and Lucena’s John Neil Baderres ruled the 18-over backstroke (1:00.54) of the competition being held in collaboration with the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Making her lone and only appearance in the PNG was 2019 Philippine Southeast Asian Games women’s marathon champion Christine Hallasgo, who claimed the gold medal in the women’s 10,000-meter run in a runaway time of 37:06.96.
