
In a game of chance tested by patience and focus, Isabela City’s Sitti Rapiya Manatad refused to let the opportunity slip away to bring home the gold medal against Pagadian City para-athlete, 15-4, during the Bocce Singles (Girls) category of Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association 2024 at Avalokitesvara School, Tetuan, Zamboanga City on April 23.
First-time player Manatad, described as a pallino ball-whisperer by her coach, started playing bocce less than two months before the regional qualifying meet.
The 14-year-old newbie, a pupil of Isabela Central Pilot Elementary Pilot School, blazed with four points in the opening salvo of the first frame.
Her opponent managed to tally a single point, however a quick response of three points widened the lead to six points after three frames.
A back-and-forth single-point exchange followed before the straight seven points unleashed by Manatad to seal the game in the bag, 15-4.
The Isabela local will set foot in Cebu for the Palarong Pambansa in July.