Philippine Army's Richard Salaño in action during the men's 3,000 meters steeplechase on Thursday, May 31. He also won the 10,000 meters run on Friday, June 1. (Photo courtesy of PATAFA)
ILAGAN CITY, ISABELA – The Philippine Army's Richard Salaño topped the men's 10,000 meters run event on Friday to collect his second gold medal in the Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships at the Ilagan Sports Complex here.
Salaño, an Information Technology graduate ofthe University of the East College of Computer Studies and Systems (CCSS), finished the race in 32 minutes and 30.67 seconds. Baguio City's Erwin Bong Generalao clocked 33:48.48 to take the silver medal while Cesar Castaneto bagged the bronze medal in 34:32.05.
Salaño, who was named Most Valuable Player in the 77th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), pocketed his first gold medal on Thursday after winning the 3,000 meters steeplechase event in the tournament organized by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA).
In the women's category, Run Rio-UP Team's Ma. Elizabeth Capioso submitted the best time of 1:07:00.08 to win the gold medal. Adamson University's Diana Jaspher Cadlaon won the silver in 1:08:55.48 while Philippine Army's Elien Tolentino got the bronze in 1:09:13.77.
Sri Lankan R.A.D. Hemantha Kumara dominated the men's 1,500 meters event in 3 minutes and 57.55 seconds. Philippine Army's Aris Africa finished second in 3:58.31 followed by Philippine Air Force's Mervin Guarte (3:58.43).
Philippine Army's Ailene Tolentino won the women's category in 4:52.55, beating Baguio City's Cristabel Martes (5:12.78). Sabah Malaysia Team's Marlin Hing William clocked 5:36.63 for third place.
Dasmariñas City's Edwin Giron Jr. bagged the gold medal in the boys category with a time of 4:05.73. Cagayan de Oro City's Erwin Mancao (4:06.71) and San Beda University-Manila's Anthony Bacle Jr. (4:07.73) finished second and third, respectively.
The gold medal in the girls category went to RP Team-City of Ilagan's Tara Borlain, who clocked 4:59.97. Baguio City's Ira Mae Gali won the silver in 5:05.23 while National University's Abegail Manzano took the bronze in 5:06.92.
Meanwhile, Adamson University's Jeric Gaceta, Christian Olivares, Elias Ruther Cuevas and Alex Talledo ruled the men's 4x100 meters relay event where the RP Team-City of Ilagan composed of Eric Shauwn Cray, Anfernee Lopena, Clinton Kingsley Bautista and Trenten Anthony Beram was disqualified.
Cray, a double-gold winner in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, accidentally dropped the baton after receiving it from first runner Lopena.
Adamson won the gold in 43.42 seconds while the Run Rio-UP Team of Sean Michael Kaufman, Leonel Tigtig, Mark Harry Diones, and Aristeo dela Peña pocketed the silver in 43.94 seconds and San Beda University-Manila's Ezra Gonzales, Jun Mark Larot, Patrick Bilches, and Joshua Tero clinched the bronze in 45.18 seconds.
In the women's 4x100 relay event, Sabah Malaysia Team (Ikma Syaffiera Duris, Chelsea Cassiopea, Puteri Nur Saadiah Gajali and Halimatu Saadiah Mohammed) won the gold medal in 49.61 seconds. Run Rio-UP Team (Bianca Isabella Ramos, Priscilla Gabrielle Fabregas, Jeremiah Angela Malonzo, and Sunshine Acaso) got the silver in 50.56 seconds while Adamson University (Ma. Lorenza Esguerra, Raziebel Fabellon, Ria Judyawon and Joanna Ebal) won the bronze in 51.49 seconds.
Sri Lankan H.M. Dilip Ruwan, De La Salle University's Daniela Daynata and Ateneo de Manila University's Alexie Mae Caimoso also won gold medals in the tournament, which is supported by MILO, LTime Studio, Soleus, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Foton, Cherrylume, PSC, IAAF, Rebisco and F2 Logistics.
Ruwan ruled the men's 400 meters event in 46.87 seconds. Mapua University's Joyme Sequita finished second in 47.34 followed by Sri Lankan M.G. Ajith Premakumara (47.65).
Daynata won the girls shot put event in 11.29 meters. Cagayan de Oro City's Sheinne Sanchez (10.25) was second, while Run Rio-UP Team's Ainah Marie Masangkay (10.18) placed third.
Caimoso registered 1.65 meters to win the girls high jump gold medal over Dasmariñas City's Evangelene Caminong (1.60).
Other winners were Run Rio-UP Team's Mea Gey Adialiaan Ninura (girls’ 5,000 meters), Cagayan de Oro City's Erwin Mancao (boys’ 5,000 meters), National University's Abegail Manzano (girls’ 2,000 meters steeplechase), Cantafa-Camarines Norte's Divina Mahusay (girls’ 400 meters), Sabah Malaysia Team's Zaidi Khani Kanisius (boys’ 400 meters) and Camelia Jasten (women's 400 meters), RP Team-City of Ilagan's Julian Reem Fuentes (men's long jump) and De La Salle University's Francis Obiena (boys’ pole vault). (PNA)
