Sensing trouble from his closest Calabarzon pursuers, Bicolano tanker Albert Jose Amaro II slit through like a spear in one last push to the finish to become an instant hit in another rainy Palarong Pambansa action on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at the Marikina Sports Center.

Karl Eldrew Yulo, the younger brother of world champion gymnast Carlos, performs in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City. (Noel Pabalate)

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Amaro timed in 26.14 seconds to top the 50-meter butterfly secondary boys event and smash Jules Mirandilla's 2018 record of 26.34sec set in Vigan.

Puffing hard in the final stretch but a fraction of a second short at the pad, Kaelan Bryce Garzon settled for silver in 26.29sec while his Calabarzon teammate Jamesray Alido completed the podium in 26.35sec.

Amaro's exploits at the aquatics center stole the thunder from the sprinters who crowned themselves the fastest in this year's Palaro that has been bothered by sporadic rains since Day 1.

Reiner Jay Ranges darted from start to finish after ruling the centerpiece 100-meter dash at the track oval.

The incoming Grade 12 student from Region 1 clocked in 11.19sec to dominate the returning yearly meet.

“Di ko in-expect na makukuha ko ‘yong gold. Train hard and discipline in self lang talaga kasi malalakas ‘yong kalaban. Almost one year [din ako nag-prepare] pero minsan hindi nakakapag-training dahil sa pandemic [restrictions],” Ranges said.

Ranges first played in the javelin throw event of the 2018 edition, where he missed out on the podium.

After his debut in the national competition, Ranges turned to sprint and competed in the 200-meter dash the following year in Davao City and placed third.

Since then, Ranges has poured his time and dedication as a sprinter.

In another secondary event, Keisha Aguillon crowned herself the fastest female athlete in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.57sec.

It was the second gold medal for the sprinter from Western Visayas after having competed in Palarong Pambansa when she was in elementary.

Inspired by her older sister who trains with the Far Eastern University (FEU) athletics varsity team, Aguillon made her second participation count after clearing the field.

The younger Aguillon has thought of which school to target yet, but she sure is aiming to march into the collegiate stage in the promising future.