By: Miguel Marco
Fresh off his gold medal triumph at the Asian Youth Games, Pi Durden Wangkay continued his stellar run in the UAAP Season 88 High School Athletics, capturing two golds for De La Salle-Zobel.
Wangkay sprinted to victory in the boys’ 100-meter dash in 10.88 seconds and the 200-meter dash in 21.17 seconds, finally claiming the UAAP titles that had eluded him since Grade 8.
“Since Grade 8 po, silver lang ako lagi. Kaya sobrang saya po kasi natupad ko na yung goal ko na makuha ng golds para sa La Salle,” Wangkay said.
After years of steady progress and near misses, the Asian Youth Games gold medalist once again stood atop a podium — this time in the UAAP.
But even as he celebrated, Wangkay is already looking ahead to a bigger challenge: competing in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand as the youngest member of the national track and field squad.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Happy naman kasi youngest ako to play. For experience na rin po, para matuto pa sa mga international games,” he shared.
Guided by DLSZ head coach Jonah Genilza, Wangkay has sharpened his discipline and mental focus — traits that will be tested against Southeast Asia’s best.
His post-UAAP schedule includes an intensive training camp dedicated to refining his 200-meter form, his signature event.
“Magta-training camp po ako dito, focus talaga para sa SEA Games 200m dash,” he said. “More focus po dapat kasi minsan nasi-sidetrack ako sa mga unexpected situations.”
Wangkay’s determination is clear in every stride.
“Yung feeling ng mga Olympians na nagte-training ng four years at manalo ng gold, ganung moment po yung gusto kong maranasan din,” he said.
