Sablan: Janry Ubas defended the men's long jump title in the ICTSI Philippine Open at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac on Wednesday. Ubas, a gold medalist at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, registered a season best of 7.61 meters. National teammate Francis Kent Jardin, who hails from Iloilo, bagged the silver on his last attempt at 7.41m.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ubas expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, "I got the season best on the first jump, so I'm happy because I only got 6.40 on my last jump in Singapore." Ubas, who was born and raised in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, holds the national record of 8.08m in the long jump of the men's decathlon at the 2023 SEAG.
Earlier in the competition, Fil-Am runner Yacine Guermali clocked 14 minutes and 15.34 seconds to rule the men's 5000m for the third straight year. Guermali remarked, "I was not really going for my record in the 5,000, but I think I made my best performance in the event since 2024, so I am glad." He holds the national record of 13.33.43, set at the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville, Virginia last April 18.
The former Gonzaga University varsity standout aims for a podium finish at the 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan in September before deciding on whether to compete in the 5,000m or his other event, the 1,500m. "It all depends on the way how my body is doing because I am also good in the 1,500m. The two events are similar, but the Asian competition is very strong. Whether we go all in on one or compete in two events, we'll see," said Guermali.
National teammate Sonny Wagdos placed second with a time of 14:45.59, followed by Alfrence Braza of Spectrum Runners, who finished in 14:58.06. Other gold medalists included Sarah Dequinan in the women's javelin throw with a mark of 45.59m, Ilocos Norte's Arianna Dawn Rabi in the women's U18 shot put with 10.89m, and FEU's Anna Bianca Espenilla in the women's U20 javelin throw with 45.96m.
