Rafols to suit up for FEU

Cebuano jumper John Marvin Rafols will embark on a new challenge as he is bound to compete in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) for the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws track and field team.

The double gold medalist in the 2016 Palarong Pambansa told SunStar Cebu yesterday he’s expecting a tough competition in Manila. He will leave Cebu on June 18 to start his training with the FEU track team.

The 19-year-old former University of Cebu (UC) stalwart Rafols, who won gold medals in long jump and triple jump in Palarong Pambansa in Albay, will get the chance to be mentored by national coach Joebert Delicano.

“I know one of the national team coaches, Joebert Delicano, is coaching athletics for FEU,” said the gold medalist in the 9th Association of Southeast Asian Nationals (Asean) Schools Games in Singapore. “For sure, it’s going to be a tough training there in Manila.” Rafols, an incoming college freshman majoring sports and wellness management, said that one of the challenges would be the new environment and the level of play.

“There’s pressure but you have to survive and overcome the challenge,” said Rafols. “Our training will begin this month but my class will start in August.” Rafols competed in the 2018 Philippines National Games about two weeks ago in the Cebu City Sports Center, where he won a gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay, silver medal in triple jump, and bronze medal in high jump. /