Rookie Michelle Zamora (3rd from right) earned the Most Valuable Player award while Arvin Loberanis (far right) was named most outstanding coach in athletics at the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games which concluded on Friday (April 11, 2025) in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. Both are from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City. (Contributed photo)
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — Mark Mahinay of Central Visayas clinched his third gold medal in spectacular fashion on the final day of the PRISAA National Games athletics meet, dethroning his own teammate to take the men’s 10,000-meter title at the Cagayan Sports Complex.
The 21-year-old University of Cebu standout, who is currently in his third year studying Information Technology, clocked 32:58.1 to beat former champion and teammate Jhon Marc Dizon of the University of San Carlos (33:16.1). Ilocos Region’s Michael Angelo Urbano settled for bronze.
Mahinay also ruled the 1,500m and 5,000m races earlier in the week.
“I’m proud to bring home three golds,” said Mahinay. “All the hard work paid off.”
In the sprints, Calabarzon’s Scott Norbe Arroyo claimed his fourth gold medal in the men’s 4x400m relay, sealing his status as the senior division’s Most Valuable Player. Arroyo previously topped the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events.
In the women’s division, Michelle Zamora of the University of San Carlos earned MVP honors after winning gold in the 1,500m and 3,000m, and silver in the 5,000m. A freshman majoring in Special Needs Education, Zamora’s breakout performance drew praise from USC head coach Arvin Loberanis, who was later recognized as Most Outstanding Coach in the women’s category.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team,” said Loberanis. “Our distance runners were especially dominant, and Michelle’s performance as a rookie was phenomenal.”
Also shining for USC was Cherry Andrin, who took gold in the women’s 10,000m and added bronzes in the 3,000m and 5,000m. University of Cebu’s Jude Grace Repeso also struck gold in the javelin throw.
In the youth division, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) athletes took center stage. John Edward Carbonell earned MVP honors with three gold medals (110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 4x400m relay) and a silver in the 4x100m. Leishen Kate Masangkay, also from CAR, dominated the girls’ events, bagging golds in the 200m, 400m, and 4x400m, and a silver in the 4x100m relay.
Coaching awards in the youth division went to Melchor Ayon of Calabarzon (men’s division) and Hernane Sore of CAR (boys and girls).
Final medal standings
Senior Division:
- Soccsksargen topped the overall medal tally with 128 golds, 104 silvers, and 55 bronzes.
- Central Visayas followed with 115 golds, 62 silvers, and 99 bronzes.
- Calabarzon finished third (74-56-55), ahead of CAR (46-42-41) and Western Visayas (39-84-84).
Youth Division:
- Western Visayas led with 99 golds, 71 silvers, and 73 bronzes.
- Calabarzon placed second (94-55-51), followed by Bicol (80-97-85) and Central Visayas (68-24-30).
- Negros Island Region (NIR) rounded out the top five with 36-30-26.
The weeklong PRISAA athletics competition showcased the depth of young athletic talent across the country, with standout performances in both individual and team events, and a new generation of MVPs making their mark on the national stage.