By: Nicole Parallag
CAPAS, Tarlac – Sep Placido kicked off University of the East’s campaign in spectacular fashion, breaking the league’s girls’ 2000-meter walk record on the opening day of the UAAP Season 87 High School Athletics Championships on Sunday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium here.
The Humanities and Social Sciences student clocked an impressive 10:15.32, setting the competition’s first record and propelling the Junior Lady Warriors to the top of the standings with 88.5 points.
The previous record was 11:09.20 set by Aira Gacusan of University of Santo Tomas last season.
The Junior Lady Warriors lead the University of Santo Tomas Junior Female Tracksters, who are in second with 73.5 points.
“After ko po mag-finish, sobrang burst of emotions kasi I really worked hard for this. And before this competition, andami po nangyari for my career. Against all odds, ‘yun po talaga ‘yung motivation ko,” shared the 16-year-old Placido, a transferee from Rizal High School.
“Up until now, I’m still so overwhelmed. May laro pa din ako on November 20, and malaking comeback po sa akin yung pagkapanalo ko sa UAAP. It’s not just about the comeback na makikita ng tao, but it’s also for myself,” she added as her record-breaking run of 10:44.44 during the 2024 Palarong Pambansa was nullified due to inaccuracies in the measurement of the event venue in Cebu.
Adamson’s Iralea Dumaguin claimed silver with a time of 10:19.24, while UST’s Franchesca Mendoza earned bronze at 10:52.83.
Placido’s record-breaking performance set the tone for UE’s dominance, highlighted by a podium sweep in the shot put.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Louise Manangan won gold with an 11.12-meter throw, followed by Heart Duarte (9.80 meters) for silver and Jazen Araño (9.57 meters) for bronze.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UE’s Jeralyn Rodriguez continued the medal haul in the 800-meter run, finishing with gold in 2:18.97. Teammate Janice Nemi earned bronze (2:22.83), with UST’s Liana Ascan clinching silver (2:20.04).
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Adamson shone in the high jump. Marjorie Ragudos cleared 1.58 meters for gold, while teammate Reha Lego earned silver at 1.55 meters. UST’s Rica Clavel and Rachel Anne Malayas tied for bronze with identical clearances of 1.50 meters.
In the boys’ division, UST surged to the top with 75 points behind stellar performances from Godfrey Monzon, Prince Yumang, and Almie Aiso
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Monzon secured gold in the hammer throw with a 39.75-meter toss, edging out teammate Prince Yumang (silver, 35.73 meters) and Ateneo’s Alessandro Marco Nieto (bronze, 33.67 meters).
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Adamson’s Aaron Prince Angeles, on the other hand, triumphed in the triple jump, leaping 14.04 meters for gold, alongside teammate Kurt Ragudos who settled for silver (13.60 meters), while UE’s Erzl Borres took bronze (13.38 meters).
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Vincent Durana gave UE its first gold in the division with a commanding finish in the 5000-meter walk, clocking 24:41.56 to edge out Adamson’s Saud Abdul (25:07.70) and Nelson King (25:12.70), who claimed silver and bronze, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the sprints, National University Nazareth School’s Kharis Pantonial edged De La Salle Zobel’s Durden Wangkay in the 100 meters, finishing with a time of 10.88 seconds to Wangkay’s 11.08. NUNS’ Larry Taripe completed the podium at 11.30.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The 800 meters concluded the boys’ events with UE’s Erick Pensahan securing gold in 1:57.71. His teammate Anthony Cariaso followed closely for silver (1:58.09), while UST’s Almie Aiso broke his personal best to earn bronze (2:00.23).
Competition resumes Monday at 6:00 a.m.
