12-year-old Erediano wins 2nd medal.
TAGUM, Davao del Norte – Twelve-year-old triathlete Moira Erediano of Cebu Province sparkled in her pet sport Monday to claim her second gold medal in the 2016 Batang Pinoy National Championships at the Davao North Sports and Tourism Complex.
Barely 24 hours after topping the criterium cycling race in the 13-under girls, Erediano, a Grade 6 student at Sacred Heart-Ateneo de Cebu, showcased her talent in the 11-12 girls swim-bike-run event in 24 minutes and 19 seconds.
Placing second was Alison Noble of San Fernando, La Union, (25:34) and Jeana Canete, also from Cebu Province (27:00), wound up third.
But it looks like Erediano is not done yet as she is set to compete in duathlon Tuesday in an ambitious bid to win her third gold.
With an eye on representing the country in the Olympics, Erediano immediately wet to her dorm to rest and calm her nerves as she gets ready for Tuesday’s grind.
But her father Fritz, also acting as her motivator, advised her to relax.
“I just told her not to focus on her opponents but rather concentrate on her time,” said the elder Erediano, adding that her daughter is also entered in two more cycling events.
As Erediano made waves, another bet from Cebu Province shone in another triathlon event.
Karen Manayon, who made it to the podium in swimming on opening day Sunday, ruled the 13-15 age bracket with a time of 40:16, edging Jana Macalalad of Muntinlupa (40:20) and defending champion Nicole Eijansantos of Quezon City (40:49).
Manayon regained lost ground in the run phase after trailing in the swim and bike segments.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Manayon, noting that it was her first time to win an event.
Last year, Manayon, a Talisay City national High Grade 8 student, had to settle for a sorry tenth-place finish.
“I feel that this was a product of my hard work in practice,” she added.
In athletics, Raymundo Lopez of Agusan del Sur reigned supreme in the 5000m boys (16-17 years old) with a clocking of 17:06.80, while Jonathan Pulido of Dasmariñas City, Cavite, came in second (17:11.00) and third was Nathaniel Morales of South Cotabato (17.15.00).
Trexie dela Torre of Negros Occidental Province topped the long jump girls (13-15) with an effort of 5.17 meters.
Runnerup honors went to Myla Repedro of Dasmariñas City (5.15) and Dela Torre teammate Franzine Alamo checked in third (4.93).
In the 2000m walk for 16-17 years old, Francis San Gabriel of Pangasinan prevailed in the boys while Rose Bok of Naga City triumphed in the girls.
Jil Tabuena of Aklan, meanwhile, captured top honors in shotput for 16-17 years old with a throw of 14.76 meters, beating Kervie Abelo of Bago City (14.31) and Tyrone Flores of Dasmariñas City (13.86).
