CAPAS, Tarlac — Eyeing qualification for the 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, national steeplechasers Junel Gobotia and Jessa Mae Roda showed marked improvement from their previous meet as they ruled their respective events in the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium here.
On a celebratory Independence Day morning, Gobotia took command in the final three laps of the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase en route to victory in nine minutes and 8.35 seconds in the meet co-presented by the BCDA and New Clark City.
Not to be outdone, Roda executed a tactical race before surging past national teammate Edna Magtubo in the final 100 meters to clinch the top spot in the distaff side in 10:38.57 in the competition organized by Philippine Athletics and co-presented by BCDA and New Clark City.
Their times were significantly better than Gobotia’s 9:15.39 silver-medal finish and Roda’s 11:18.86 fifth-place result at the recent New Taipei City Athletics Open in Chinese Taipei.
Sharing the spotlight was national teammate Rica Balderama, representing FEU, who fell short of her target six-meter mark but still secured the women’s long jump gold with a personal best of 5.89 meters in the meet, with ICTSI Foundation as title sponsor.
“Buti mas maganda ito kaysa sa last takbo ko sa Taiwan kasi hinahabol namin ni coach Vertek (Buenavista) yung qualifying time para sa Asian Games na 8:36.57,” said Gobotia, who secured his third gold in the country’s premier trackfest, also supported by CEL Logistics, Inc. and UAAGI Auto Group Inc.
“I will strongly endorse Gobotia to be one of our steeplechasers in the Asian Games. Malaki naman ang improvement niya and I believe kaya pa niyang habulin ang time,” said Buenavista, a former Southeast Asian Games steeplechase champion.
Jessa Mae Roda flashes the No. 1 sign after ruling the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase in the ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac Friday morning (PATAFA
Also a noted marathoner, Buenavista said he will also push for Roda’s inclusion in the Philippine squad for the Asian Games, although the qualifying standard in her event is 9:47.53.
“Naghintay lang po ako ng pagkakataon at hindi nagpabilis sa mga unang rounds kasi baka ako maubusan,” said Roda of her winning strategy in the blue-ribbon competition, also supported by Pocari Sweat, Clark Water, Energya, and Masiv Sports.
“Malakas din si Magtubo kaya nung makakita ako ng opportunity in the last 100 meters at may lakas pa, saka ko binuhos,” she added after clinching her third gold in the athletic showcase.
Rica Balderama grimaces after landing in the women’s long jump she handily won in the ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac Friday morning (PATAFA)
The 22-year-old Balderama rued missing the six-meter mark as she gears up for potential qualification to the inaugural Asian U23 Championships scheduled June 9 to 12 in Ordos, China. The qualifying standard in her event is 6.30 meters.
“Kaunti na lang sa takeoff alam kung makukuha yung six meters. Sayang, pero masaya ako dahil nakakuha ako ng bagong personal best,” said Balderama, a native of Irosin, Sorsogon.
She also took pride in defending her title despite strong foreign competition from Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia.
Singaporean Enya “Chloe” Chee settled for silver with 5.79 meters, while Malaysian Aliya Nasaruddin claimed bronze with 5.76 meters.
