By NIKOLE JAVIER
Over the weekend, national team aspirant James Darrel Orduna dominated the finale of the inaugural Lazada Run at the Marina Barrage in Singapore.
The last leg of the e-commerce giant’s first-ever regional running event saw over 8,000 participants from the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia, with Orduna ruling the men’s 10-kilometer race category after clocking 31 minutes and 59 seconds.
The UAAP Season 81 Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Player has been seeking to earn a dream spot in the Athletics national team roster, with Lazada coming through with the exact opportunity for Orduna to make a good account of himself.
Against the top runners from the neighboring Southeast Asian countries, the 23-year-old University of the East (UE) graduate was determined to boost his chances of being among athletes who represent the Philippines in the international scene.
“Yea, isa sa dream ko na mapabilang sa Athletics national team,” Orduna told Manila Bulletin.
“Nung last 1KM na talagang sumigla ‘yong pakiramdam ko. Para bang nabuhay ulit ‘yong katawan ko dahil pag tingin ko sa likod ko halos nasa 300 to 400 meters ‘yong iwan ko sa 2nd placer. Ilang meters before ako mag-cross sa finish line talagang nagtatalon ako sa tuwa di lang dahil ako ang first place dahil na din natapos ko ‘yong race ng walang nangyari sakin na masama,” Orduna said.
Orduna arrived in Singapore with the rest of the Filipino delegates less than 24 hours before the flag off.
With his discipline in training, Orduna was able to keep himself in the best form and poised to take the much-needed victory.
“Everyday training ko dapat nabe-beat ko ‘yong target time sa workout na ginagawa para ma-beat ko ‘yong time ko sa Lazada Run Manila leg dahil ‘yon ‘yong personal best ko sa road race. Iniisip ko kasi international competition na ito, maraming malalakas na runners ang maglalaro kaya hindi ako pwede mag petiks petiks lang sa training,” he added.
With the taste of his first international meet, Orduna felt at the time that he was already part of the national team and refused to let the Philippines leave the running event empty-handed.
“Nakaka-goosebump ‘yong before race tatawagin ang mga representative ng bawat bansa tapos ako pa ‘yong may hawak ng flag na Philippines isa din ito sa memorable at nakaka-proud na experiences ko,” Orduna recalled.
