By: Nicole Parallag
CAPAS, Tarlac – Abdul Saud kept Adamson University’s three-peat bid alive after breaking the 3,000-meter record previously set by his senior Yuri Jumaday on a remarkable third day of the UAAP Season 87 High School Athletics Championships on Tuesday at the New Clark City Stadium here.
The Catanduanes native surpassed his mentor’s record of 14:31.93, set on December 2, 2022, by finishing the race in 14:16.94.
“Sa kanya ‘yung record po nung Season 85. Sobrang saya kasi siya yung humila sa ‘kin nang pataas. Lahat ng workout niya, sabi niya, ‘Wag daw ako hihiwalay,’” Saud recalled, reflecting on his preparation for the tournament.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Norberto Concepcion added another gold for Adamson in the high jump, clearing 1.94 meters. University of Santo Tomas’ Ivan Talplacido settled for silver with a jump of 1.91 meters, while Adamson’s Kurt Ragudos claimed the bronze with 1.80 meters.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Adamson also excelled in the 4×100-meter relay, with Aaron Prince Angeles, Elreb Taduran, Matthew Angeles, and John Yu finishing first with a time of 43.60 seconds. The UST Junior Tracksters—Reymark Cabansa, Prince Cuyos, Jydan Lumantas, and Kevin Banda—took silver with 43.76 seconds. University of the East secured the bronze with a time of 43.79 seconds, with Ralph Velasco, Chadwick Jupackal, Linel Espidido, and Janilo Agasin running for them.
UST, however, took a slim two-point lead over Adamson in the overall standings, 60-58.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the pole vault, UST’s Francis Allen Sillar won gold with a height of 4.00 meters. Adamson’s John Philip Villar matched that height but had to settle for silver due to a back-count. Adamson’s Angeles claimed third with a jump of 3.80 meters.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Villar also earned a silver in the javelin throw with a throw of 47.06 meters, falling short of UST’s Kurby Arca, who won gold with 48.96 meters. Adamson’s John De Guzman claimed the bronze with 46.40 meters.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the 1500 meters, University of the East claimed first and second place. Anthony Cariaso finished first with a time of 4:11.02, while Erick Jay Pensahan followed closely in second with 4:11.30. UST’s Almie Aiso placed third with a time of 4:13.36.
The Sprint King and Queen
After setting a new record in the 200 meters the previous day, UE’s Jeralyn Rodriguez and National University’s Kharis Pantonial both added another record to their names in the 400-meter relay event.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Rodriguez broke the previous record of 57.47 seconds set by NU’s Jessel Lumapas on November 28, 2018, finishing with a time of 55.87 seconds.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Pantonial surpassed Adamson’s Hussein Loraña’s record of 49.12 seconds, set on November 24, 2023, with a finish of 48.78 seconds.
Both athletes collected their fourth gold medal of the season, dominating the sprint events.
UE Girls Continue to Dominate
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The collective efforts of UE’s Heart Duarte (36.78m), Jazen Araño (32.19m), Louise Manangan (28.75m), and Alyannah Ico (28.33m) in the discus throw extended their lead in the girls’ category.
Meanwhile, the UST Junior Tracksters fought to close the gap in their title defense.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST claimed gold in the 1500-meter walk, with Liana Ascan leading the way with a time of 5:09.19. Her training partner, Lyka Mae Raterta, finished second at 5:06.60, while UE’s Janice Nemi earned bronze with 5:09.36.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST secured their third gold of the season with a victory in the 4×100-meter relay. The team, consisting of Ashley Tabad, Lea Ordinario, Jamaica Saligan, and Iza Pangalinan, finished with a time of 48.38 seconds. This performance broke the previous record of 49.50 seconds set by the Jhocson squad of Eliza Cuyom, Mica Cabaddu, Jessel Lumapas, and Pamela Jaime on November 30, 2018.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
NUNS’ Jonalyn Halasan won her first gold medal of the season with a jump of 11.19 meters. UST’s Rica Clavel (11.13m) and Jamaica Kate (10.93m) took silver and bronze, respectively.
Day 4 of the championship will continue on Wednesday at 6 a.m.
