LAGUNA, Philippines—Mary Queen Ybañez of Ilocos Region has picked up where she left off at last year’s Palarong Pambansa, taking home golds in the 30-meter and 40-meter archery events on Tuesday, May 6 at the Laguna Sports Complex in Laguna, Philippines.

This is the 16-year-old Ybañez’s third time to compete at Palaro. After failing to place in her first Palaro, Ybañez won a gold last year before improving upon her past performance at the 2014 Games. Ybañez graduated this past year from high school and is competing in her final Palaro.

According to Ilocos Region coach, Jigo Paradas, he expected Ybañez to win top honors because she was disciplined and dedicated during their training.

“Napasin ko kasi yung desire and commitment niya sa training siguro dahilan na rin sa last na nga niya ito para i-represent ang Ilocos,” said Paradas.

(I saw in her the commitment and desire during our trainings maybe because this is her last year to represent Ilocos Region in Palaro.)

Paradas also added that they aim to break the record that Ybañez had last year. Ybanez only got two gold medals last year in the 30-m and 40-m events. They hope that she will also top the 50-m and 60-m event which will happen tomorrow, May 7.

Ybañez also qualified in the 2014 International Youth Fest which will be held in South Korea tentatively in July.

The complete list of the secondary-girls category in the 30-m and 40-m event are as follows:

30-m Event

Gold – Mary Queen Ybañez (Region 1) – 342

Silver – Rishelle Antonette Montes (Region 8) – 321 (Tie break – 9)

Bronze – Ana Marie Macadangdang (Region 3) – 321 (Tie break – 8)

40-m Event

Gold – Mary Queen Ybañez (Region 1) – 316

Silver – Keith Iven Arguelles (Bicol) – 301

Bronze – Vanessa Garganera (Region 6)

– Rappler.com