Iloilo captured 15 gold and 2 silver medals in men and women's karatedo to register an early lead in the medal count of the 2014 Western Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association at the University of St. La Salle – IS Covered Court in Bacolod City yesterday.

The Ilonggo karatekas dominated the individual and team events, both in kata and kumite, with six gold medals in men's category and nine golds in the women's bracket.

Charlie Kenn Alborote led the surge for Iloilo as he topped the men's individual kata, leaving behind Dave Joseco of Antique to pick up the silver medal and Cyril Escaran of Negros Occidental, the bronze.

In kata's taem event, with teammates Roberto Mogato and Rjinij Gelpe, Alborote grabbed his second medal as Iloilo once again beat Antique for the gold medal.

It was a 1-2 finish for the Ilonggos in men's kumite -55 kg. with Jerome Manlangib winning the the gold and Gelpe the silver, while Mogato ruled the -60 kg., Charles Padernal in -75 kg., Jared Tizo in -84 kg., Renato Constantino in +84 kg., and Elvin Vergavera in -67 kg. to complete the sweep for Iloilo as they also won the team event.

Not to be outdone by their male counterparts, the Ilonggas replicated the feat in the women's department as Remelyn Fuentes booked the gold in individual kata and was part of the trio than won the team event.

In women's kumite, Gladys Piñas secured the gold in -50 kg., Fuentes secured her third gold medal in -55 kg., Naniela Delgado in -61kg., Abgail Cuenca in -68 kg., and Mercedes Gorantes in +68 kg. Iloilo also topped the women's kumite team event.

Antique placed second in karatedo with two gold medals and eight silvers, while host Negros Occidental grabbed three silver and three bronze medals.

In women's volleyball, Iloilo also prevailed over Negros/NOPSSCEA in four sets, 25-16, 25-20, 20-25, and 25-23 to lead in the elimination round with two wins after defeating Antique in straights sets, 25-10, 25-7 and 25-14.

The other provinces, including host Negros, remain in contention for the top honors as Capiz turned back Antique, 25-9, 25-22, and 25-15, while NOPSSCEA won over Aklan, 25-7, 25-4 and 25-8. On Saturday, Antique beat Aklan in four sets, 22-25 25-21, 25-10 and 26-24.

In men's basketball, with the core of its team coming from the powerhouse Hercor College, Capiz demolished Iloilo, 90-69, then went on to dump host NOPSSCEA, 81-71, to fortify its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage going into the finals.

The NOPSSCEA team, mainly composed of players from this year's champion STI-West Negros University and second runner-up Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod beat Aklan, 78-64.

IN football, after displaying their superior skills against Capiz, defending champion NOPSSCEA/La Salle – Ceres, are poised to defend their title today against Iloilo, 8:30 a.m. at the North Football pitch.*NAB

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