1st Palaro winner spurns hoops to focus on javelin throw

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — In the first gold medal event of Palarong Pambansa 2013, Jerremay Rubias overcame a woeful start to top the secondary – girls javelin throw event at the Gov. Mariano Perdices Memorial Stadium here.

The Tangalan, Aklan bet committed a foul in her first attempt but bounced back mightily in her third try, throwing a personal best of 39.59 meters, a far cry from CARAGA’s Rinalyn Apos’ 37.89 and Cagayan Valley’s Jovelyn Notarios’ 36.05 meters, respectively.

Day 1: Palarong Pambansa 2013

The 5-foot-7 thrower however, could have been in another venue today as she was also called to represent her region in the basketball competition, but her good showing in recent javelin throw performances led her to focus on the athletics event in the national stage.

“I was also named in our basketball team but I felt that this [javelin throw] really is my best chance for a medal,” said Rubias, a farmer’s daughter representing Tangalan National High School. “I’m also good in basketball, I was the starting center for our province, but I can’t let this pass.”

For more stories on Palaro 2013, visit our microsite.

Aside from javelin throw, she is also set to compete in the discus throw event on April 26, but unlike in the event she won today, she is not keeping her hopes high.

“I will just go to compete in the discus [throw] but I can’t assure myself of anything, unlike today,” she shared.

Rubias, a Palarong Pambansa sophomore, captured silver as a Grade 6 student three years ago in Tarlac but was not able to come back to the national limelight until her third year in high school.

“I just trained hard in all my sports, in the morning and in the afternoon. I keep on doing my best to improve my game,” said the Aklan native.

True enough, Rubias stepped up her game massively for the Palarong Pambansa, improving her personal best every outing, from just around the 37-meter mark in the Batang Pinoy to 39.59 in her gold medal throw today.

“She improves fast. She has a long road ahead of her,” said her trainer John Michael Ibo. – Rappler.com