Sixteen-year-old Patrick Unso delivered National Capital Region’s first gold medal in the 2009 Palarong Pambansa by getting top honors in the high jump at the Leyte Sports Development Center in Tacloban, Leyte.

A report by the PNA said Unso, son of former national hurdler Renato Unso Sr., cleared 1.85 meters in the secondary boys’ high jump late Tuesday afternoon.

The younger Unso edged Roderick Delayun of Cagayan Valley Region who settled for silver with 1.80m. Jay Econar of Northern Mindanao also registered 1.80m also but Delayun nabbed second through lesser attempts.

”This is my first time to win gold in the Palaro. Finally, I got it,” said Unso, who placed fifth in the 2008 Puerto Princesa Palaro.

Unso also tried to break the standing record of 1.90m set by Paolo Martinez in 2002 by hurdling 1.91m. He, however, failed to clear the bar in three attempts due to fatigue.

Coach Jojo Posadas said Unso will also compete in the 110m hurdles, the 4X100 and the 4X400 relay.

Meanwhile, Cotabato Region Athletic Association (CRAA) nears leader Western Visayas Region with three gold medals after dominating the first day of arnis competition.

The CRAA leaned on its arnis team, which bagged two gold medals in the Anyo individual and team double weapon, and on Alfred John Mantua, who took the gold in the secondary girls’ shot put.