PH tracksters all set for SEA Games
THE national athletics team underscored its readiness for the 2017 Southeast Asian Games following its seven-gold, five-silver, six-bronze medal haul in the 94th Malaysia Open Track and Field Championship held in Kuala Lumpur.
Long jumpers Tyler Ruiz, Janrey Ubas and Aries Toledo bagged the top three spots in the men’s long jump event.
Ruiz topped the event with a 7.34meter showing while Ubas and Toledo had the same 7.29m output to pocket the silver and bronze, respectively.
Reigning SEA Games champion Christopher Ulboc Jr. and Philippine National Open titlist Immuel Camino copped the gold and silver in the men’s 3,000 steeplechase.
Ulboc crossed the finish line in three minutes and 26.94 seconds while Camino registered 9: 37.72.
Clinton Kingsley Bautista also reigned supreme in the men’s 110m hurdles in 14.16 seconds beating silver medalist Chen Xiang Ang of Singapore (14.64) and bronze winner Mohammad Rizzua Haizad Muhamad of Malaysia (14.91).
In women’s long jump, Katherine Kay Santos submitted 5.83m, good enough to earn the gold medal and beat Malaysia bets Kirthana Ramasamy (5.79m) and Nurul Fatimatul Zahrah Awang (5.78m).
Evalyn Palabrica chipped in one gold by ruling the women’s javelin throw in 44.95m.
Malaysian Nur Fatin Adibah Suharman (44.59m) and Filipina Rosie Villarito (43.01m) wound up second and third.
The other gold medalists were Marco Vilog in men’s 800m ( 1: 51.24) and Reah Joy Sumalpong in women’s Discus Throw ( 44.11).
Winning silver medals were Edgardo Alejan Jr. in men’s 400m (47.55), Ronnie Malipay in men’s triple jump (15.46), Narcisa Atienza in women’s high jump (1.64m) and Melvin Calano in men’s javelin throw (64.07m) while bagging the bronzes were Elbrin Neri in men’s 1,500m (3:59.63), Kenny Gonzalez in men’s javelin throw (59.90m) and Eloiza Luzon in women’s 100m dash (11.99).
The national team is revving up for the Malaysia SEA Games scheduled on August 19 to 30 in Kuala Lumpur, aiming to surpass the team’s five-gold medal showing in the 2015 Singapore edition.