Manila: University of the Philippines bet Roy Laudit bagged the men’s 5,000m gold medal Saturday night in the UAAP Season 88 athletics competition at the New Clark City Sports Hub in Capas, Tarlac. Laudit clocked 15:23.30 to prevail over National University’s Noli Torre (15:29.84) and Rico Jay Patanao (15:36.12). Bulldogs Renz Cruz and Rabhy Seno were fifth and sixth, respectively.
According to Philippines News Agency, the performances of the four gave NU a total of 198.5 points to grab the lead from Far Eastern University in the men’s division. FEU slid to second with 167 points, followed by UP (132), Ateneo de Manila University (84), University of the East (53), Adamson University (52), and De La Salle University (45).
Torre, a transferee from Jose Rizal University, expressed his focus on the team’s success, stating, “The goal of the team is my priority. I don’t want to disappoint our coach. That’s why I gave my best to get the points.” In the 1,500m event, Torre (4:00.02) placed second and Patanao (4:00.18) third behind FEU’s Alfrence Braza, the reigning MVP who clocked 3:58.04.
The Tamaraws also succeeded in the men’s 5,000m race walk (Carlos De Imus) and 4x100m relay (Pacifico Tolentino, Joseph Antiola III, Joshua Bercasio, and Andres Womack) events. UP secured two more golds with Ranier Sobrepe±a in the long jump and Seasons 85 and 86 MVP Alhryan Labita in the 400m, while UST’s John Allen Butiong won the javelin throw.
Meanwhile, FEU dominated the women’s division, leading with 246.5 points after victories in the 10,000m (Edna Magtubo) and 1,500m (Susan Ramadan) events. UST held the second position with 213 points, with Azaneth Serat winning the 3,000m race walk and Ma. Khrizzie Ruzol topping the pole vault. Chrizzel Lanipa secured the gold medal in discus throw for UP, which accumulated 156 points.
Season 86 champion La Salle, ranked fourth with 149.75 points, triumphed in the 400m (Lea Ordinario) and 4x100m relay (Hannah Delotavo, Trixie Dela Torre, Erica Ruto, and Abcd Agamanos). UE held the fifth spot with 121.75 points, followed by Adamson (63), NU (41.5), and Ateneo (15).
