CAPAS, Tarlac — Clint Niño Neri successfully defended his men’s long jump crown, propelling University of the Philippines to the top spot after Day 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Athletics Championships on Monday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium here.
The third-year standout led a trio of Fighting Maroons in the finals with a leap of 7.33 meters – just shy of the UAAP record.
His stellar performance powered UP’s campaign to reclaim the championship they lost to National University last season.
Joining Neri in the points haul were Leolan Oranza, who clinched the silver with 7.06 meters, and Rainier Sobrepeña, who finished fifth with 6.95 meters.
These results pushed UP ahead of University of Santo Tomas with a total of 120 points.
Adamson University’s Kent Francis Jardin secured the bronze with a jump of 7.04 meters.
“Of course, sobrang saya this day and I hope na from Day 2, from now on, matuloy na ‘yung lead namin. Kasi we’re aiming for the championship and bringing it back to Katipunan this season,” said Neri, a Physical Education major.
“I’m so grateful rin kasi last season, ako lang mag-isa. But right now, nandyan ‘yung mga teammates ko, and pumasok rin sila ng finals.”
UST Stays Close
UST remains in striking distance with 105 points, thanks to Johnpaul Araneta’s second gold medal of the meet.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The 100-meter dash champion added the 200-meter title to his collection, clocking in at 21.75 seconds, ahead of NU’s Orly Orongan (21.91) and Jardin (21.96).
Meanwhile, University of the East shone in the 10,000-meter races, securing two gold medals.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
James Darrel Orduña dominated the 10,000-meter run, finishing in 32:10.81 – nearly a minute ahead of Far Eastern University’s Rogen Aguirre (33:07.02). UP’s Roy Laudit settled for bronze with 33:54.22.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the 10,000-meter racewalk, Vincent Dela Cruz defended his crown with a record-breaking 48:27.08, shattering his previous UAAP record of 49:33.97.
Adamson’s John Yuri Umanday edged FEU’s Justine Macuring for silver, clocking 51:01.07 compared to 52:30.72.
FEU Leads Women’s Division
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
FEU’s Annie Mercurio secured her second gold of the championships, leading the Lady Tamaraws to a commanding 187.5 points in the women’s division.
The 22-year-old senior sprinted to victory in the 200 meters with a time of 24.75 seconds, beating De La Salle University’s Bernalyn Bejoy (25.07) and teammate Shane Joy Ponce (25.14).
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Earlier, Rica Mae Balderama set the tone for FEU with a triple jump gold, leaping 12.52 meters. UST’s Jeanne Arnibal followed closely with 12.47 meters for silver, while DLSU’s Abcd Agamanos took bronze with 12.26 meters.
Arnibal redeemed herself in the heptathlon, dominating the final three events to claim the title with 4,373 points. Her performance boosted UST to 132 points, keeping them within range of the Lady Tamaraws.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The morning session also saw UST’s Lanie Carpentero win the javelin throw with a distance of 47.36 meters. DLSU’s Ann Katherine Quitoy (40.19) and Adamson’s Elizabeth Sicat (37.87) completed the podium.
Record-Breaking Relay
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The FEU mixed 4×400-meter relay team of Timothy Ochukwu, Kaye Villanueva, Jazzpeer Arcenal, and Susan Ramadan capped the day with a record-breaking performance.
They clocked 3:33.6, smashing the previous mark of 3:39.31 set by NU last season.
The UAAP Season 87 Athletics Championships continue on Tuesday at 6:00 AM.
