Philippine Army dominated the 2023 ROTC Games National Championships after scooping 19 gold medals with two events left on Saturday, October 28.
Army banked on its athletes in arnis after reaping seven gold medals courtesy of Rizal Technological University bets Maria LG Mae Ballester, Lolito Bacor Jr., Villamiel Tiongson, Febie Tacda, Kyla Dela Torre and Joana Dela Cruz.
It also showed its force in boxing with five gold medals – two of which from Western Institute of Technology fighters Joeler Efondo and Alfred Deslate – as well as in kickboxing four gold medals including three from University of Baguio bets Christopher Manipon, Betty Mae Churping and Kathleen Igualdo.
![Arnis awardees gather for a photo opportunity during its awarding ceremonies at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in 2023 Philippine ROTC Games - National Championships. [PSC media pool photo]](http://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/395517737_361379122997735_3908718819676004639_n-scaled.jpg)
Apart from the golds, Army also went home with 16 silver and 18 bronze medals.
Navy was at far second with eight gold medals as it leaned its strength on athletics with four golds from Adamson University runners.
Kent Francis Jardin, who was the most bemedalled athlete, anchored Navy with victories in the men’s 200 meters, 4x100m and 4x400m relay.
Other golds from Navy came from esports with two, and one each from arnis and kickboxing. Navy also pocketed six silver and 14 bronze medals.
Air Force, for its part, has two gold medals courtesy of Ghen-yan Berdon in kickboxing and the University of Negros Oddidental-Recoletos’ 4x100m relay runners Marla and Angelica Bacaro, Ciara Largavista and Jeazel Talaver.
They also went home with seven silver and 12 bronze medals.
Meanwhile, basketball and volleyball finals are being held at presstime to cap the weeklong hostilities.
