THE ATENEO Rifle Pistol Team (ARPT) claimed two bronze medals in the 2022 National Open Shooting Championships held last December 4 and 11 at the Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) 10m Firing Range in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
In the Women’s 10m Air Pistol category, Isabelle Gonzales and Ysobelle Joseph drew first blood for the returning Blue and White squad as they produced 495 and 472 points, respectively. Gonzales notably recovered from having to leave the firing line due to an equipment malfunction. Using a borrowed Air Pistol, she returned to finish strongly in 5th Place despite the shortened time remaining. On the second day of the competition, Paola Fresco placed fourth in the 10m Air Rifle (Women) Individual standings after reaching 532.5 points, a personal best with locally tailored equipment.
Despite struggling early in the range, Mariko Aboganda showed off Ateneo’s shooting caliber as she garnered 565.5 points in the 10m Air Rifle (Women) category. Her score allowed her to claim the first Individual bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle (Women) category for the Blue Eagles in the competition.
Over in the Men’s division, the Blue Eagles were unable to complete enough classic bullseyes (inner 10s) for a medal victory. On the first day of the contest, ARPT alumni Timothy John Poblete captured 5th place in the 10m Air Pistol (Men) Individual standings, with his 545-point performance. Meanwhile, Santiago Cruz in the 10m Air Rifle (Men) received a slightly better standing on the second day in the range with 524 points, earning him a fourth-place Individual finish.
In the Mixed Team category (10m Air Rifle), Ateneo made it past the eliminations to reach the Finals. Fresco returned to pair up with Tokyo Olympian Jayson Valdez to secure the Team bronze medal for the Blue Eagles against teams comprised solely of National Team members.
Outgoing Team Captain Fresco was clearly ecstatic about the team’s stint in the Nationals.
“We’re happy to be back competing again since the pandemic. Hopefully, this will be the first of more future awards, for not only myself, but for ARPT as well,” she shared.
