By Edwin Rollon
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — On a day marked by an erratum in Team Baguio’s medal tally and a controversial disqualification of a local swimming star, Team Pasig quietly made its move and claimed the top spot at the close of Day 4 of the 2025 Batang Pinoy National Finals here on Wednesday.
Backed by Mayor Vico Sotto, the Pasigueño athletes billeted at the Greenleaf — one of the high-end hotels in the city -- showed their might in aquatics, chess, cycling, judo, gymnastics, and karate. Pasig climbed to the top with a total of 59 medals, highlighted by 22 golds, dislodging Team Baguio, which dropped to second after a technical error in Tuesday night’s medal tally.
“Following a thorough review, it was determined that the issue resulted from a technical and system error. After verification and system updates by 12:00 p.m., the official gold medal count was corrected. The Technical Working Group fully assures all participants and the public of greater vigilance in ensuring the accuracy of medal reporting as the Games progress,” the TWG said in an official erratum statement.
Perennial powerhouse Team Manila trailed in third with 18 gold, 18 silver, and 16 bronze medals for a total of 52, followed by Quezon City (15-16-21=52) and Davao City (14-17-26=57). Completing the top 10 were Sta. Rosa (14-12-8=34), Zamboanga City (13-8-3=24), Cebu City (9-9-6=24), host Gen. Santos City (8-7-4=19), and Muntinlupa City (6-6-2=14).
Gymnast Samantha Louise Chan and swimmer Adrienne Reese Tacuboy led Pasig’s charge with double-gold performances. Chan, a member of the national junior team, ruled the girls’ 15–17 Individual Trampoline and Double Mini events, while the 12-year-old Tacuboy topped the girls’ 12–13 100m and 200m breaststroke, clocking 1:22.22 and 2:52.46, respectively.
Other Pasig gold medalists included Yuri Lei Paraguya (boys 17 Rapid and Blitz chess), Nika Juris Nicolas (girls Rapid and Blitz chess), King Xyan Beltran (girls Standard chess), Princess Lara Aquino (girls 16–17 rhythmic gymnastics), Roland Aaron Seprado (boys 14–15 50m backstroke, 28.32), Danica Laveigne Alvarado (girls 10–11 Individual Kata), Nathaniel Aquino (boys 16–17 cycling), Johannes Valero (12–13 Karate Intermediate), Gabriel Medenilla (boys 16–17 100m freestyle, 55.05), Trishan Ryle Manansala (girls 12–13 Karate Kumite);
Jacob Donovan Trinos (boys 12–14 Judo Juvenile -55kg), Fretz Perseus Afan (boys 12–14 Judo Juvenile -60kg). Athena Dennise Delos Santos (girls 10–11 Kata Beginner), Ynes Nueva España (girls 12–13 Kata Intermediate), and Stokley Caranzo (boys 14–15 Kata Intermediate)
The day’s biggest heartbreak came for hometown hero Christian Isaiah Lagnason, whose bid for a record-breaking fourth gold medal ended in disqualification due to a false start in the boys’ 12–13 butterfly event. Despite an appeal, the technical committee—led by Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) technical head and international referee Richard Gonzales Luna—upheld the ruling after a careful video review.
“Nakakalungkot lang po, pero kailangan pong tanggapin ‘yung official decision,” said Lagnason, who had earlier made waves with three record-breaking victories before the mishap.
The 13-year-old GenSan swimming phenom, however, remains in contention for another gold as part of the host city’s relay team in Thursday’s final day of pool action at the Acharon Swimming Pool.
