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FORMER Southeast Asian Games champion Mercedita
Manipol and promising talent Christopher Ulboc Jr. notched their
second gold medals on Friday in the 2008 Milo National Open track
and field championships at the Rizal Memorial Track Oval.
The 28-year-old Manipol, gold
medalist in Manila SEA Games, topped the women’s 10,000-meter run
in 36 minutes and 52.86 seconds.
It was her second gold after
bagging the 3,000-meter run crown on Thursday.
“I’m using this tournament as
preparation for the 2009 SEA Games in Laos. I failed to defend my
title in Thailand [SEA Games] because of my injury. But I promise to
regain my strength and hopefully bring back the gold,” said
Manipol, who settled for bronze in the same event in last year.
Manipol is hoping to add some
feathers on her cap when she competes in 5,000m and 1,500 meter
events on Saturday where 44 gold medals are at stake.
Ulboc, representing Far Eastern
University, secured his second gold after clocking 9:29.99 in the
boys’ 3,000m steeplechase. He also ruled the boys’ 5,00m in
15:40.9 minutes.
But it was Annie Albania, a SEA
Games boxing champion, who stole the limelight in the second day of
this event supported by Bistro Group Concepts Restaurant, TMS
Shipping president Terry Capistrano, Mayor Arturo Orosco of Roxas
City and Islander footwear.
After her third place finish in
long jump earlier, Albania hammered an impressive 35.16-meter
distance to snatch the women’s javelin throw title over Janice
Alvarado of FEU (30.61m) and Mica Sibayan of Ateneo (28.11m).
“Cross-training lang namin yung
athletics kaya hindi ako makapaniwala na makaka-gold ako dito.
Masaya ako dahil kaya ko pala,” said Albania.
National mainstays Eliezer Sunang,
Rene Herrera and Joebert Delicano also topped their respective pet
events.
Sunang tallied 15.61 meters in
men’s shot put, Herrera registered 9:06.09 in the men’s 3,000m
steeplechase and Delicano leaped 7.31 meters in men’s long jump.
--Emil Noguera
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