GOLD MEDALIST. University of the East's Vincent Vianmar Dela Cruz (center) topped the men's 10,000-meter walk in the ICTSI PH Athletics Championships at the Philsports track and field stadium in Pasig City on Thursday (May 9, 2024). Carlos De Imus of Pasig City (left) and Gabriel Amit Oxales of UST finished second and third, respectively. (PNA photo by Jean Malanum)
MANILA – University of the East's Vincent Vianmar Dela Cruz displayed his awesome form on Thursday, winning the men's 10,000-meter walk gold medal in the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ITCSI) Philippine Athletics Championships 2024 at the Philsports track and field stadium in Pasig City.
The 23-year-old native of San Miguel town in Bulacan clocked 48:08.21 to beat Pasig City's Carlos De Imus (48:21.93) and University of Santo Tomas bet Gabriel Amit Oxales (55:24.77).
"I wasn't expecting to win because I had little time to prepare. I'm happy to get the gold," said the 5-foot-7 Dela Cruz during the awarding ceremony.
It was the second gold and third medal for Dela Cruz in the annual tournament organized by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA), which is currently headed by Terry Capistrano.
He topped the 5,000m walk in 2017 and secured the 10,000m walk silver medal in 2019.
Dela Cruz holds the UAAP records in 10,000m and 5,000m. In the 2023 Philippine National Games, he won the 5,000m and 3,000m events.
"I still have one more season in the UAAP and hopefully, I can improve my records," said Dela Cruz, who is taking up Masters in Education after earning a Bachelor of Physical Education degree.
Meanwhile, UST's Jamela De Asis dominated the women's shot put in 12.05 meters. Sarawak Sukma Malaysia's Ng Jing Xuan (10.78) was second followed by Far Eastern University's Mary Jean Maloloy-on (10.44).
City of Pasig's Justine Macuring, Sarawak Sukma Malaysia's Angelina Ngang and UP-Diliman's Rainier Sobrepeña also ruled their events in the Under-20 category of the tournament supported by the ICTSI Foundation, MILO Philippines, CEL Logistics Inc. and the Philippine Sports Commission.
Macuring registered 51:28.82 to rule the men's 10,000m walk. Probex School Athletics Team's Nelson Alexander King (51:38.67) got the silver medal while UST's Gabriel Cervantes (53:13.12) secured the bronze.
In the women's discus throw, Ngang won in 37.80 meters while UST's Rashied Faith Burdeos (37.70m) and Adamson University's Rachelle Barbin (33.73m) placed second and third, respectively.
Sobrepeña took the men's triple jump gold medal in 13.93m, Pasig City's Aaron Prince Angeles (13.69m) claimed the silver and Mandaluyong City's John Aljay Raz (13.48m) settled for the bronze.
Champions in the Under-18 category are Sta. Rosa City's Jerico Cadag (men's 2,000m steeplechase), Starland's Charrylyn Samontina (women's 2,000-meter steeplechase), and Aurora Athletics Team's Jester Renz Robedizo (men's long jump). (PNA)
