SEASONED long distance runners Eduardo Buenavista and
Mercedita Manipol and promising hurdler Jose Renato Unso shared the spotlight in
the opening day of the 2008 Milo National Open track and field championships at
the Rizal Memorial stadium yesterday.
Former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Buenavista of
Philippine Air Force clocked 14 minutes and 43.16 seconds to rule the men's
5,000-meter-run in this event sponsored by Milo, TMS Shipping, Bistro Group
Concept Restaurant and Islander Footwear.
He edged fellow national team mainstay and co-Airman Julius
Sermona, who crossed the finish line after 14:48.91. Juniel Languido of Nike
Team wound up third with a time of 15:03.00.
The 28-year-Manipol of TMS Shipping, logged 10:24.71 to top
the women's 3,000m, thumping Grace Delos Santos of Zamboanga City (10:47.58) and
Flordeliza Doņos of University of Baguio (11:04.34).
"Talagang pinaghandaan ko ito, part ito ng maaga kong
preparation for the SEA Games," said Manipol, who hopes to reclaim her throne in
the 10,000m in next year's biennial event. She was to also compete in the 10K
run, her pet event, late in the day.
Not to be outdone was Unso, a freshman sports management
student at the De La Salle University, who tackled the boys' 110-m hurdle race
with a record-breaking 15. 25 seconds to win the gold.
The 17-year-old quadruple gold medalist in the 2008 Palarong
Pambansa bested the 15. 31 established by Alonzo Jardin in October 1994 during
the Manila-Fujian Games.
"I didn't expect to break the record in this Open because
I've been really tired since my class has just started," said Unso, son of
former trackster and Gintong Alay standout Renato.
He defeated DLSU teammate John Rey Vicente (15.54) and Dharl
Pitogo of Team Cebu (16.63).
Luville Dato-on and Princess Que added gold medals for the
TMS squad by ruling the women's long jump and high jump, respectively. Dato-on
leapt 5.49m while Que cleared 1.50m.
Other winners were Nariza Rubio of Far Eastern University in women's pole
vault; Hanna Erika Sia of UB (women's discus throw); Jam Valenton of Ateneo de
Manila University (girls' pole vault); Christopher Ulboc of FEU (boys 5,000m
run); and Jessa Aguilar Occidental Mindoro (girls' 3,000m run).
