By Jerome Lagunzad
ILAGAN CITY – Philippine Army and Dasmariñas City Athletics Team emerged as overall champions in the seniors and juniors divisions of the 2018 Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships which drew to a close on Monday night under a festive atmosphere inside the City of Ilagan Sports Complex here.
The Army runners, bannered by Richard Salaño and Aileen Tolentino, got 11 gold, six silver, and eight bronze medals in the seniors division, besting the Philippine team (9-4-2) and University of the Philippines (8-8-3).
The 5-foot-4 Salaño, 26, was named as the hands down choice for the Most Valuable Player plum in the men’s division after he completed a long distance treble by topping the 3000m steeplechase, 5K run and 10K run events.
Not to be outdone was Tolentino, 27, who bagged the MVP honors in the distaff side after racking up three golds by winning 800m and 1500 run events plus the 3K steeplechase. She also had a silver medal in the 4x400m mixed relay and a bronze in the 4x400m women’s relay.
“We’re very proud of what we have accomplished here as a team,” said Tolentino, a Cagayan De Oro City-born runner who now resides in Taguig City. “We hope that we earn a second look from Patafa officials for an opportunity to vie for national team slots. We will be honored to represent the country on the international stage.”
Meanwhile, Dasmariñas City Athletics Team reigned supreme in the juniors division with 12 gold, six silver and two bronze medals, thanks to the notable performances of Veruel Verdadero and Eliza Cuyom who were named as the MVPs in the boys and girls sides, respectively.
Verdadero, 16, claimed the “Faster Junior Runner” for winning the 100m and 200m events aside from 4x100m and 4x400m mixed relays for an impressive four-gold showing, the same output of Cuyom and teammate Jessel Lumapas.
Cuyom ruled the 100m hurdles and 400m events and did her part in winning the 4x100m girls and 4x100m mixed relay crowns. Meanwhile, Lumapas topped the 200m dash and also figured in team victories in the 4x400m girls, 4x100m girls and 4x100m mixed relays.
Another Dasma bet, Evangelene Caminong, earned the distinction as the lone record breaker in the five-day trackfest sponsored by Ayala Corporation, Milo and the Philippine Sports Commission after she set a new standard in the girls’ high jump at 1.71m, shattering the two-year old record of 1.69m set by Kaylene Mosqueda.
Edwin Giron Jr., also of Dasmariñas Team, strung up three golds courtesy of his victories in the 800m run, 4x100m and 4x400m mixed relays. La Salle’s Daniella Daynata duplicated that feat in the distaff side after topping shotput, discus throw, and javelin throw competitions