LEGAZPI CITY – Swimmer Peter Cyrus Dean continued to make waves in the 2024 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games after bagging his fourth gold medal to become the most bemedalled athlete so far on Wednesday, July 24.

Representing CALABARZON (Region IV-A), the 16-year-old Dean clocked 1 minute and 1.88 seconds to top the boys 100-meter backstroke ahead of eventual silver winner Region IX’s Theo Ituralde (1:04.96) and Region VI’s Mateo Sion Palero (1:06.81).

Dean, who was fresh from his campaign at last week’s Palarong Pambansa in Cebu, earlier dominated the boys 200m backstroke and the 400m individual medley, while also teaming up for the 4x50m medley relay gold.

“Sobrang sarap po sa feeling na nagpi-paid off na po ‘yong mga pinaghirapan ko sa training,” said Dean, a standout from Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation.

The Lucena City native, who brought home five gold and two silver medals from the Palaro, hopes to make an impression to become a member of the national youth team.

“This upcoming August po meron po kaming national tryouts and don po magkakaalaman [kung] sino pong makakasama sa junior national team,” said.

At the SM City Legazpi, Region VI standouts reign supreme in their respective kyorugi taekwondo events.

Enzo Cape ruled the boys flyweight class, while Justine James Diasnes and Kyle Chin bagged the light and feather gold medals.

Joining them were female teammates Hannah (fin) and Diana Dello (fly), Sheine De Asis (light) and Mary Alim (bantam).

Other winners were NIR’s Cy Aldous Espinoza (fin), Region IX’s Kyle Aburot (bantam), and Region IV-A’s Clark John Abarquez (welter) and female jins Marrione Olarte (feather) and Eira Gador (welter) of Region X.

In men’s volleyball, Ilocos dismantled CAR, 15-12, 15-7, while Region VI annihilated Region VII, 15-10, 15-8.

The finals for basketball and volleyball are on Friday, July 26.