
Sweeter for the second time around, Dapitan City’s Jhon Rasel Arbole advanced to the national level against Pagadian City para-athlete,13-9, by bagging the gold medal of the Bocce Singles (Boys) category during the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association 2024 held at Avalokitesvara School, Tetuan, Zamboanga City.
Arbole first qualified at the national level five years ago but Palarong Pambansa 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic which made his podium finish sweeter this year.
The Dapitan native, a special education pupil in Grade 3 regular, started strong with straight nine points which ballooned the gap from the first whistle blow up to frame four.
However, the momentum shifted in the next four frames in favor of Pagadian City which shrank the Dapitan’s lead to a single point.
Arbole regained composure and focus in the last two frames by scoring four to none.
The Shrine City coach, Vivienne D. Quiros, narrated the home-based practice with a makeshift bocce playing field at Arbole’s residence to further enhance the skill of the young athlete at his own pace.