CAPAS, Tarlac — Fil-Am runner Yacine Guermali made the most of his lone event early Wednesday morning, ruling the men’s 5000-meter race handily to kick off the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium here.
With barely three days to prepare after arriving in Manila from the United States last Sunday, Guermali took the early lead and never looked back, powering his way to the gold in 14 minutes and 15.34 seconds for his third straight title in the event.
National teammate Sonny Wagdos settled for a distant second (14:45.59), while Alfrence Braza of Spectrum Runners took third (14:58.06) in the meet organized by Philippine Athletics and also supported by CEL Logistics and United Asia Automotive Group.
Former Southeast Asian Games long jump gold medalist Janry Ubas registered a season-best 7.61 meters on his first attempt to retain his title for the seventh consecutive time.
Meanwhile, heir apparent and national teammate Francis Kent Jardin settled for silver with a last-attempt jump of 7.41 meters in the event also backed by BCDA and New Clark City.
(C) PATAFA
Women’s heptathlon bronze medalist in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games Sarah Dequinan hurled the javelin to a distance of 45.59 meters to bag the women’s javelin throw gold before shifting focus to her pet event later in the day.
Ilocos Norte’s Arianna Dawn Rabi recorded a throw of 10.89 meters, while FEU’s Anna Bianca Espenilla registered 45.96 meters to rule the women’s Under-18 shot put and Under-20 javelin throw, respectively, in the early final events of the meet backed by Pocari Sweat, Clark Water, and Energya.
“I was not really going for my record in the 5,000, but I think it was my best performance in the event since 2024, so I am glad,” Guermali, a 33rd Southeast Asian Games participant, said, noting his national mark of 13:33.43 set at the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville, Virginia last April 18.
Despite the short adjustment period, he said he did not feel jet lag. “I think I have gotten better at adjusting to travel racing and racing in Asia for a good amount of time.”
A former Gonzaga University varsity standout, Guermali said his ultimate goal is to prepare for a podium finish in the 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan in September, before deciding whether to focus on the 5,000 meters or his other event, the 1,500 meters.
“It all depends on how my body is doing because I am also good in the 1,500. The two events are similar, but the Asian competition is very strong,” Guermali said. “Whether we go all in on one or compete in two events, we’ll see.”
Ubas, who holds the national record of 8.08 meters set during the men’s decathlon long jump at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, said he felt pleased with his season-best performance in defending his title.
“Nakuha ko yung season best sa first jump, kaya masaya ako kasi naka-6.40 lang ako sa huling talon ko sa Singapore,” the Army Private First Class said.
He also pointed to Jardin, who competes in both the 100 and 200-meter sprints, as his likely successor in the event where he has dominated for nearly a decade.
“Ang sabi ko kay Jardin na siya na ang papalit sa akin,” said the Villanueva, Misamis Oriental native. “Yung speed niya mas mabilis sa akin. Talo pa ako nito sa training.”
Hailing from Calinog, Iloilo, 22-year-old Jardin said he is grateful to have Ubas as his mentor and hopes to reach his level someday.
“Noong 2023, na-encourage ako sa kanya, kaya ang sinabi ko na pag-aaralan ko yung technique niya. Kaya ito ako ngayon,” said Jardin, who also set a personal best in securing the silver in the long jump.
