Over a decade of hardwork is finally rewarded with an Olympic B Standard for Marestella Torres, which could mean the Philippines will send three athletes to compete in London later this year.

http://seg.sharethis.com/getSegment.php?purl=http%3A%2F%2Fpinoymiler.wordpress.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost-new.php%3Fpost_type%3Dpost&jsref=&rnd=1327653733076

The Golden Bronze of Paco Razon. A pure example of perserverance.

http://hurdler49.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/the-golden-bronze/

Although not a UAAP Champion, Paco Razon is part of a fabulous legacy of blue singlets. With such names as Arniel Ferrera, Eugene Benedict Tan, Ryan Dalman , Christopher Dominique Hey, and Micah Sibayan Ateneo has a winning history in the throws to live upto.

4 time SEA Games Champion Arniel Ferrera a legend of the UAAP. Photo by GMA News TV.

A strong challenge however will come from Miguel Yuzon of UP whose hammer throw of 42.25m was #3 of 2011 behind SEA Games Champion Arniel Ferrera and his own coach and former UAAP Champion Karl Francisco. Certainly Ateneo’s Al Bugarin (37.52m) has his work cut out. Bugarin however is the leader in the Shotput (12.96m). While in the Discus  FEU’s Joel Sta. Mina (40.25m) is the man to beat and his closest challenger Angelo Arayata (ADMU, 38.96m) and Ernie Sabidura (UST, 38.22m). Javelins leader is Razil Kasim (UST, 54.34m).

With Micah Sibayan graduated, the womens discus is right open for FEU’s Kenneth Grace Ferrera (the younger sister of Arneil) whose best throw came at the PICAM meet 2 years ago with 35.07m, team mates Mary Jane Miano (33.94m) will be the top contenders with DLSU Twinkle Masilang (32.70m) probably settling for a minor medal and UE Ira Mae Hernandez (32.68m). Ferrera also seems set to defend Hammer Throw title (38.06m)

UP’s newest addition Palaro Record Holder and ASEAN Games silver medallist Stephanie Cimatu (42.34m) will undoubtedly prevent a FEU clean sweep in the womens throws.  The 17 year old may have her sites set on the National Junior Record of former SEA Games Champion Rosie Villarito. The duo of Ferrera (38.70m), Jennefer Penepona (38.16m) are likely to feature in the top three with Cimatu. Penepona and Ferrera are trained by National Coach and former national team player Roselyn Hamero (Coach Rose).

Cimatu’s team mate Precious De Leon (10.16m) will be looking to defend her UAAP title in the shotput.

While there can be no doubt of the intimate connection between science and progress at almost every intersection of human activity, the question still remains as to the priority of science over art in the business of creating greatness in the field of athletics in general and in particular in the running events.

Today it is generally thought that certification is the end-all cure for success and that the mere labels of sports scientist and sport administration must appear in the CV of any individual seeking the title of modern day coach or hoping for a national position. However, there are some who take objection to this new vision of who and what a winning coach should or ought to be. And, there is some powerful proof that mere certification and scientific knowledge have failed to produce the results expected from those who both teach and hold such highly praised accreditations.

Regarding the view of those who question the choice of certification over practicle success and artistic mastery as the essential criteria for selecting coaches, I offer the following comments from one of the world’s only 3 time Olympic gold medalists Peter Snell, who argues:

1. “The thing that really makes the difference – iconic, driven coaches like Arthur Lydiard. You can’t just dial up another coach.” – Triple Olympic champion Peter Snell talking in an article in a New Zealand paper about the importance of coaches. Snell is upset that sports administrators in New Zealand bureaucrats in New Zealand are emphasizing sports science and administration over coaching.

(http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10698622)

And supportive comments by two of the sport-science communities most respected leaders, IOC’s Dr. Tim Noakes, and sport scientist and coach Professor Dave Costill.

1. Comments by Professor Dave Costill October/2006 “Dave Costill, an emeritus professor and founding director of the Human Performance Lab at Ball State University, where many of the top exercise physiologists in the US got their early training: “Coaching…a mix of art and science. As Costill once said the sports scientists usually discover what coaches already have figured out from years of trial and error in training athletes”. “said Costill, who was both a coach and a scientist during his career, and science usually lags behind art in understanding or discovering the keys to human performance” “So, while the secrets of sporting ability may be eventually explained in the laboratory, they are usually discovered during the time coaches and athletes train to improve their times, pushing the limits of human performances

http:..www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsID=36622.html(Jim Ferstle for the IAAF)

1. Comments by Dr. Tim Noakes: 4/28/2008 “As an Afrian from the Dark Continent with an interest in Kenyan running I am able to confrim that there is not a single exercise testing laboratory in Kenya that is used by the best athletes and their coaches. Thus the best runners in the world do not have access to laboratory testing(at least while they remain in Kenya) so that they are not trained according to some laboratory-based protocols” “Could it be that their coaches know that to be the best in the world an athlete needs to run at a certain speed in competition(not a particular V02 Max or blood lactate concentration) and to achieve that speed he or she need to produce certain performances in training” “Great coaches should no be defined by their ability to produce one or two great athletes, rather they should be rated by their ability to produce many great athletes over many years”.

Http://www.letsrun.com/forun/flat_read.php?thread=2412208&page=38#ixzzlelVebcSy

Finally, consider the evidence in this article :   ON THE DECLINE OF ASIAN SPRINTING (Under Certification From 2009 Through The End of 2011)

A.) Introduction of Certified Sprint Coaches into Asian Athletic Associations Since 2004 Since early 2000, while the call from Asia’s national associations for the hiring of certified sprint coaches gradually increased, utilization of previously successful non-certified coaches began to be phased out most notably in China, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the number and authority of active certified sprint coaches both domestic and foreign have continued to rapidly increase and take control of training procedures in China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

B.) Results of Certification on Asian 100m sprint performances (2009-2011) From 2010 thru 2011, 92% of all men’s 4x100Relay team members from Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan posted slower annual 100m times compared to their 2009 times. From 2010 thru 2011, 80% of all top 2 ranked Open men’s 100 m sprinters from Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan posted slower annual 100m times compared to their 2009 times; (http://www.adriansprints.com/2011/12/success-of-athletics-coach-indepth.html)

Finally, the PSC must realize two critical facts:

1. only a very very few (if any) of the top rated US running coaches(or their assistant coaches) have ever dealt with with non-blue chip runners. Virtually all these coaches earned their reputations not by dealing with the types of runners filipino coaches and other asian nations are normally confronted with, but by offers of University scholarships to America’s cream of the crop 100, 200, 400, hurdlers and middle and long distances runners already at the top of our nation’s highschool and junior college rankings. And this is equally true for those foreign athletes who were likewise offer scholarships.

2. Certification in the USA (as well as many asian and european countries) has become “big” business and only has one essential requirement, payment of fees. Typical certification seminars in the USA usually only take 1 day or a weekend at best, with 40minutes per event as a typical time frame.

(http://www.ustfccca.org/academy_sessions/tf-technical-certification-jacksonville-fl)

While I am not anti-science I do oppose a certification process that does not demand applicants produce a respected level of new performance from a “non-blue chip” athlete as a requirement for final certification. I don’t think the PSC should squander its limited resources on paying foreign coaches who can only offer mere “certification” as the main proof of competene. And, I don’t think selection of coaches who can only show they have only successfully worked with already high quality blue-chip athletes is any clue as to how they would do with the typical filipino athlete who is not already a top level status.

What the PSC needs are coaches who like myself have taken a 12.3 male sprinter to 10.7 or a 58.9 400m runner to a 32.5(300m) time or a 3558 point decathlet to 7276 points. Any coach, unless they are totally incompetent can take a 10.2 sprinter and get some improvement, however such improvement would likely have come as a natural occurance anyway. Respectfully submitted Coach Sam Goldberg/Retired USA National Decathlon Training Center Running/Hurdles event Head Coach

With substantial demand from readers (Milers) I have provided a list of NCAA records, these are a rather limited source compared to the UAAP records were a more comprehensive list was already established to revise. The NCAA is coming up in early February as well and has a very strong line up and at this stage is stronger in a lot of events than the UAAP.

My sources included.

• Tilastopaja Oy
• NCAA Results from 2008 to 2011

It would be much appreciated if readers could contribute if they have available results or old articles with results to scan and link them to the facebook group of ‘Pinoy Miler’ or send them to pirieandrew@gmail.com

*It is very likely that this listing is going to be thoroughly revised once information becomes available.

Some Information to note about the NCAA

• 2003 Was Hand Timed with no wind gauges
• 2004-2006 Was Electronic Times, not sure if they used wind gauges
• 2008-2010 Was Electronic Times with wind gauges
• 2011 Was Hand Times with wind gauges
• At some stage around 2007 they decided to completely reset the official NCAA records for whatever reasons is unsure to me.

NCAA Records available here

NCAA records as at 1 Jan 2012

Take Our Poll

Filed under: 04 NCAA News ]]> http://pinoymiler.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/ncaa-records-partial/feed/ 2 pirieandrew http://pinoymiler.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/elma-muros-celebrity-athlete-is-now-an-actress/ http://pinoymiler.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/elma-muros-celebrity-athlete-is-now-an-actress/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:29:45 +0000 pirieandrew http://pinoymiler.wordpress.com/?p=3772 ]]>

Elma Muros (left) plays the role of Coach Rose, who trains Thelma, a runner portrayed by Maja Salvador (right) in reel and real life. Says Elma: “Ang performance ni Maja maganda from start to finish. Talagang pinush ko siya. Kasi mahirap sa isang artista ang hindi ma-feel kung ano yung sinasabing 1,500 meters sa long-distance running.”Glen P. Sibonga

Elma Muros, celebrity athlete, is now an actress

Glen P. Sibonga

Sunday, November 7, 2010 09:03 PM

 

 

Pinuntahan ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) ang last training day ni Maja Salvador kaninang umaga, November 6, sa Ultra Track and Field Oval sa Pasig City.

Naghahanda ang aktres para sa pelikula na pagbibidahan niya na pamagat ay Thelma, kung saan isang runner ang role niya. Sa Martes, November 9, kasi ay magsisimula na sila mag-shooting sa Ilocos Norte.

Nasaksihan nga ng PEP kung gaano kahirap ang pagte-training na ginagawa ni Maja sa ilalim nina champion athlete Elma Muros at ng asawa nitong si Coach Jojo Posadas.

Kasama nila sa training ang direktor ng Thelma na si Paul Soriano. Present din doon ang producers na sina Rino Que at Samantha Chavez-Que, pati na rin ang isa sa cast members na si Tetchie Agbayani.

MAJA’S COACH. Kinausap ng PEP ang coach ni Maja na si Elma para kumustahin ang performance ng young actress sa training.

“Tumakbo kami ng 1,500 meters. Ang performance ni Maja maganda from start up to finish. Talagang pinush ko siya. Kasi mahirap sa isang artista ang hindi ma-feel kung ano yung sinasabing 1,500 meters sa long-distance running.

“So, I’m very proud of Maja kasi bilang artista mahirap po yun e. Hindi naman siya athlete sa totoong buhay,” pahayag ni Elma.

Hinahangaan niya raw si Maja, kaya panay papuri para sa aktres ang bukambibig nito.

“Madali siyang turuan. Kasi tumatakbo na siya sa treadmill. Tapos may muscles na rin siya kasi nagda-dance pala siya. So, madali siyang maka-catch up. Tapos kahit papaano, may endurance na. Yung porma na lang. I’m sure makukuha niya rin yun.”

In real life, athletics coach sa Brent International School si Elma at ang kanyang asawa.

FIRST MOVIE ROLE. May special guest appearance si Elma sa pelikula bilang Coach Rose, ang coach ni Thelma, na gagampanan naman ni Maja.

Aminado si Elma na kinakabahan siya dahil for the first time, ay aarte siya sa pelikula.

Bagama’t nauna na siyang napapanood bilang isa sa castaways ng Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown ng GMA-7, ibang-iba raw yung pakiramdam na sasabak sa kanyang first movie.

“Dito sa Thelma kinabahan ako kasi first time ko talaga ito. Pero sabi ni Direk Paul, parang sarili ko rin naman ang gagampanan ko rito. Bilang coach sa totoong buhay, yun din ang role ko sa movie,” paliwanag ni Elma.

“Kaya sabi niya ang kailangan ko lang daw ay i-memorize yung mga linya at ibigay ang tamang emosyon. Nandiyan naman si Direk, I’m sure hindi niya ako pababayaan.”

Para sa kanya, ano ang mas mahirap, ang tumakbo o umarte?

“Palagay ko yung umarte. Kasi yung tatakbo ka, sandali lang yun e, mabilis lang yun. Yung umarte, talagang magsasalita ka. Ano ang sasabihin mo? Pero yun nga… naging coach naman talaga ako sa totoong buhay. Kaya siguro magiging madali na rin sa akin.”

Ngayong nasimulan na niya itong pag-aartista, tuluy-tuloy na ba ito?

“E kung blessing na ni Lord at gumanda ang pag-arte ko, bakit hindi? Makadagdag din ito ng kikitain ko para sa family ko. Hindi naman kahiya-hiya ito, malinis naman na hanapbuhay ito. Kasi binibigyan ka ng pagkakataon so, i-grab ko din,” sagot ni Elma.

Kung papipiliin siya, saan niya mas gusto – sa drama, comedy o action?

article by Glen B. Sibonga

http://www.pep.ph/news/27303/Elma-Muros,-celebrity-athlete,-is-now-an-actress

If you’re a runner, it’s good to know history and statistics. If you’re a couch potato, hope this inspires you to run, run, run!

This was published in the December 2011 issue of The GUIDON, in the Sports section.

It’s a runner’s world by Gianna R. Banzon, Ally M. Lim, Manica C. Tiglao on January 3, 2012 in Sports

                        A sporting trend. Ateneo is slowly embracing the worldwide fad of running. Photo by Joseph S. Angan

Running is a basic activity that has been around since time immemorial, wildly popular around the world. In Running USA’s Annual Marathon Report for 2010, it was estimated that 467,000 runners in the US had finished a full 42-kilometer marathon in 2009 alone.

The numerous running events around the world testify to the wide popularity of this sport. The Boston Marathon has been held annually since 1897. Races like the Berlin Marathon attract as much as 40,000 participants. The London and New York marathons both saw about 50,000 participants this year. The Philippines also seems to be catching up on the running craze—just about everyone in Manila is running these days.

From recreational three- and five-kilometer runners, intermediate 10- and 21-kilometer runners, and serious 42-kilometer marathon finishers, running has been imprinted on mainstream consciousness. But since when was running the “in thing”? Will it fade, just like the badminton hype did, around half a decade from now?

In 1974, Milo pioneered the popularity of fun runs in the country, with the first ever Milo Marathon having little more than 700 participants. This number pales in comparison to today’s fun runs, which attract as much as hundreds of thousands of runners every weekend.

In the past three years, the running industry has grown exponentially. According to MoveForMove.org, Filipinos are estimated to have spent at least P9.3 million on running alone. In 2011, more than 373,000 Filipino men, women and children are estimated to have collectively run 39,670,140 race kilometers.

An average of 13 events per week has been recorded this year, marking a 6% increase from last year’s average of 2.13. Given these statistics, running has become billion-peso industry of its own.

The tipping point

In 2008, most road runs were held at the University of the Philippines Diliman, registration fees never exceeded P250, securing more than a thousand participants was already considered a huge feat, and the free running singlets given away were always of mediocre quality.

However, big corporations like Condura suddenly took interest in the running scene. They saw the potential of fun runs to raise awareness and funds for their charitable causes. The first Condura Run for the Tubbataha Reef was spearheaded by Condura President and COO Ton Concepcion back in 2008. It had 3000 participants—considered a big number at that time. In 2009, the Globe Run For Home event was born, becoming one of the first races in the country to have more than 6000 participants. “It was a really well-attended race, and set the template for future races in terms of scale, route and timing [technology],” says elite athlete Noelle De Guzman.

Today, in contrast, several races of gigantic proportions are held every weekend all over the country. Registration fees have escalated to as much as P1000 per run, and average participant turnout is around 5000. Then, there are the celebrities these running events draw in: showbiz personalities such as Piolo Pascual, Derek Ramsay, Iza Calzado, Drew Arellano and even the Azkals.

The leading race organizer in the Philippines, former UAAP track & field star Coach Rio Dela Cruz, has raised the bar for road runs in Manila. Dela Cruz has gone from “that guy with the big afro who organizes races” to a fast-rising business magnate, celebrity and the very face of running in the Philippines.

His company, Run Rio, is reputed for its well-organized road runs. Water stations are always overflowing, registration is convenient, gun start is on time, the post-race program is fun and race results are posted online immediately.

Dela Cruz has now expanded from coaching big names and organizing the biggest races in the country to putting up his own retail store called Riovana, dubbed as “the futuristic runner’s hub and sanctuary.” The store is stocked with all the needs of runners, and even houses a clinic, shower rooms and lockers at its Bonifacio Global City branch.

Jumping into the bandwagon

Recently, Riovana opened a branch at the Regis Center in Katipunan. This has proven to be very timely, as the running bug has bitten plenty of Ateneans. Students and teachers running around campus is a common sight, and they seem to be growing in number. While some have jumped into the bandwagon following the running craze, others join to enjoy the energetic and positive atmosphere at fun runs and to support causes close to their heart.

“I actually pick races based on the cause. It’s nice to be able to help whenever an opportunity presents itself, plus I still get to run so it’s a win-win situation,” says Ateneo senior Anna Santos.

“I love the whole experience and atmosphere… seeing the different walks of life coming together in one event and sharing the same experience. It’s also good, clean fun!” adds freshman Monica Dizon. On the other hand, elite athletes like De Guzman choose their races based on their training goals. “[I join a race] if I need to run a 21k leading up to a marathon, or a 5k as a tune-up to a sprint triathlon,” she shares.

For many people, running has become more than just an alternative to spending hours at the gym—it is now a lifestyle choice that brings about benefits, both physically and mentally. “I think people are getting into running on their own,” says BJ Abesamis, a long distance runner for the Ateneo Men’s Track and Field team. “I am observing increasing interest in triathlon, as people look for further challenges, and more runners [are conquering] the 42-kilometer marathon.”

Frannie Santos shares, “[Running] really pushes my body and mind to work together, and I like it because I like challenging myself.” Giving the same results as most fitness activities, running encourages brain stimulation and better circulation in the body.

“I like the focus I get from it. When I’m running, it’s like the only thing that matters is that I keep moving forward. Everything else—the things I have to do the rest of the day, the thoughts I’m preoccupied with—they all disappear once I start pounding on the pavement,” says Women’s Health editorial assistant Iya Joson.

Running in blue

From home grown fun runs like the annual Big Blue Run organized by the Ateneo Track and Field team to bigger scale events like the Run for Pasig and the Quezon City International Marathon, students flock the streets to break a sweat for a good cause.

Student organizations such as the Ateneo Junior Marketing Association and the Ateneo Special Education Society have made good use of the current craze, putting together fun runs to be held in December and January, respectively. AJMA’s Rundividual even received support from one of Manila’s largest fitness center chains, Gold’s Gym, which agreed to distribute its race kits in its branches. The run was also endorsed by a number of the Philippine Azkals, including Anton del Rosario and Chieffy Caligdong, and by celebrities Lauren Young and Mike Concepcion.

International athletes now flock to Manila just to join races. Kenyans are not an uncommon sight in the weekly Sunday races, but it is races with big cash prizes, like the CamSur Marathon in 2011, that encourages athletes like Nathan Naibei to fly to the Philippines just for one event. He won the 42-kilometer category and brought home P125,000. Elite triathlete and gold medalist for the 2008 Ironman World Championship 70.3, Terenzo Bozzone, flew in from Australia and competed against other professional triathletes from around the world at the 1st Cobra Ironman 70.3 in the Philippines in 2009.

Conversely, more and more Filipinos are training and traveling abroad to join races. In 2009, for instance, Filipina Tess Geddes joined the Marathon de Sables in Morocco, a 7-day, 250-kilometer race, while 2011 saw Millette Chiongbian join the revered Boston Marathon, a prestigious 115-year-old race that remains to be the “world’s oldest marathon.”

With its undeniable prolificacy and strong following, the running boom in Manila has evolved from “the new in thing” into something that has made Filipinos conscious of the need for long-term commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Everyone has their own goal: from “to improve my 5k time by 5 minutes” to “running my first full marathon,” to “learning how to swim so I can join a triathlon”—there is endless room for improvement.

Indeed, running has found a new home in Manila

Article Provided by Alisa Lim (aka. Chickzilla) Have you met Ally?

Read the online edition of the GUIDON here.

Read Chickzilla blog http://thechickzilla.wordpress.com/

February 2012. Special thanks to EJ Valera and Coach Igor Quodala for providing the original documentation. And Joboy Quintos of http://hurdler49.wordpress.com/ for editing the Ateneo names out and providing the original article available on Hurdler 49.

Joboy also compiled this pdf file of schedule for convieneance of use.

uaap-season-74-athletics

The DLSU Men’s team is highly expected to sweep gold in all four of the jump events at the UAAP. Such is the dominant lineup of DLSU they are expected to win six of the eight jumping events up for grabs.

A resurge in junior the Pole Vault by the athletes of Mike Pelaez, a UAAP Record Holder in the High Jump and a rookie in the Long/Triple Jump from Bacolod make up The DLSU new power lineup in the jumps.

Valdecenas just too good

Arguably the sharpest rookie La Salle has recruited will be Adel Valdecenas of Green Hills a proud member of the Mike Pelaez Family (MPF name given to athletes coached by Mike Pelaez). Valdecenas is the Palarong Pambansa record holder and last year in Hong Kong improved his best leap to 4.30m (which is the #2 best jump of all time by a Junior Eduardo Lasquette having jumped 4.89m over 20 years ago). Coincidence that Valdecenas personal best is good enough to tie the UAAP Record of Jerome Margallo (Adamson University) set back in 2006.

Chasing Valdecenas for the minor medals will be defending champion Abdillah Landasan of FEU who after an absence and now reinstated back in the FEU team is unlikely to defend his title where he won in 4.00m. Valdecenas team mate and training partner JK Sugue who finished 2^nd last year with a pb of 4.00m and actually defeated him at the National Open in 2010 and also EJ Valera of Ateneo (the younger brother of Zekky ‘Boy’ Valera the 2010 UAAP Champion) who also improved his best to 4.00m this year.
Smith or Baron?

With the womens pole vault being ruled by Ateneo Mika Santos, then FEU Buenaventura and lately by the duo of Bettina Macalang and Jam Garcia Valenton. The colors of this event have shifted back to other teams. With Macalang opting out of the UAAP the stage is set for DLSU Jumper Alexandra Smith, not since over a decade has DLSU had a champion with the last notable ones being Jesber ‘Jingle’ Hualde and Ana Natad.

Smith another member of the illustrious MPF set a string of junior records in the womens pole vault eventually the drama reaching an end with her jumping 2.87m in Capiz. But however when the dust settled it was UP team mate and newcomer Kat Baron who had leapt a 2.90m leap 5 days later at the weekly relays to claim sole ownership of the National Junior Record. Perhaps a chance for UP to claim there first ever title in this event. The two continue there rivalry during the UAAP perhaps now the drive to see who can get to the 3 meter mark first.

Wilson’s  ‘Bromance’ Continues

One of the most impressive seens of the UAAP last year was the post game war dance of Andrew Wilson upon clearing a new UAAP Record of 2.03m. He shattered the existing 1.97m mark set by fellow La Sallian Isagani Bayson. Wilson first clearing 2.00m and then asking the bar raised to 2.03m. Wilson is a foreign student at DLSU and also a part time male model he is one of the top 3 high jumpers in the country with Lasangue and Capispan all three having jumped over 2m a feat never achieved in the Philippines before with 3 jumpers over 2m. Wilson may have it easy with the other two not part of the UAAP.  ‘The Bromance’ is certain to win his event but can he jump 2.05m? and push his way further up the Philippine all time ranking list.

Layumas certain to clinch the jump double

Another impressive recruit of DLSU is Gerald Layumas who comes courtesy of Bacolod coach RV Alvarez. Layumas whose first love is soccer also represents the school in that sport. Layumas who had a very close 1cm win at the Palarong Pambansa in the long jump in 6.86m also leapt 14.34m at the Palarong Pambansa. His winning jumps are easily better than last years when the Long Jump was won in 6.61m and under 14m.

Felyn  ‘Sausa’ Dolso to rise to the 12m challenge

Doloso of DLSU who also comes from the RV Alvarez stable, also had a very marginal win last year in the Triple Jump with an 11.86m to 11.85m win over UE Aleah Gatmaitan. Doloso who leapt a personal best of 12.23m to set the Palaro Record back in 2010, has not had any similar form until recently when she cleared 12.00m to win the Uni Games in Capiz last October. Challenging her will be Gatmaitan and UST Luville Dato-on who has a personal best of 11.89m (2008) , also strong for the minor medals will be UST recruit and palaro stand out Michelle Palmares who has a best leap of 11.70m.

Dato Roll expected to defend her title

UST Dato-on is one of the medals expected not to goto DLSU. With a personal best of 5.83m (2010) which puts her well ahead of her rivals. Could it be possible for the Dato roll to break the 6m barrier?

Catahan and Laudencia

It was FEU Aprilen Laudencia and Charie Catahan of UP 1-2 finish last year at the UAAP that ended the reign of DLSU Phoebe Que as UAAP Champion. Catahan however who sports the better PB of 1.60m is expected to claim the title this year. Expected to collect a medal as well is heptathlete Avegail Dizon of FEU.

UE’s Wenlie Maulas the Mens UAAP 800m champion will try and make it his third year in a row as champion with a personal best time of 1.53.84 (4^th at ASEAN University Games In Thailand last year). Perhaps if he really guns for it and has a good day purged of injuries he may eclipse the UAAP Record in the event set by Nelbert Ducusin (FEU) 1.54.2 in 2008. Certainly a realistic target if he decides to peak for this meet. Maulas who succeeded UST Ben Alejandrino as 800m Champion, who in turn had succeeded Ducusin carries on the legacy of middle distance runners at the UAAP. Perhaps he can rewrite himself in UAAP History this year.

Maulas who has had an injury most of the season however suffered a shock defeat at the Uni Games to Jordan Paul Billones (UST) who after finishing bronze and silver the last UAAP perhaps has waited long enough to finally claim the gold from the champion. With most of the action taking place in this event at the NCAA it is really hard to say who else will figure as most of Maulas and Billones key rivals have already graduated.

Maulas also looking at making it a double again in the 1500m. His best time of 4.00.31 was clocked a year ago. So it is just a matter of holding on now for the veteran. No one else this year in UAAP has ran under 4.04. But last year Ernie Opiana and Richard Salano both of UE both ran 4.03 and they were also silver and bronze at UAAP.

In the Womens 800, Hurdler Josie Malacad (FEU) is expected to dominate having won last year in 2.15.7, with training partner Keizel Pedrina (UST) 2.17.6 getting silver last year and FEU Mary Ann Delacruz (FEU) 2.19.3 the bronze. Outside chances for the minor medals include UST new recruit Jilla Delarosa 2.19.5.

In the 1500m defending Champion Mary Ann Dela Cruz may have some strong opposition from the some of the new provincial recruits especially the ones from UST which may make it difficult for her to defend her title. Delarosa and Malacad if she decides to run this event are both expected to challenge Dela Cruz with all 3 girls running just under 5 minutes for the event.

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Firstly I would like to note that these rankings are based on performances from the 2010 and 2011 period. It doesn’t take into account any new rookies and acquisitions I’m unaware of, injuries, post season improvements, and athletes who have graduated or are no longer part of the team which I do not know of. Hence it serves as a rough guide based on the statistics I have gathered from important meets. Time Trials not included as not official results.

As mentioned in my last article (sprints review of UAAP 2012) slight change of plan. Initially I was going to write a review of Hurdles but I will be working on this with Hurdler49 (aka. Joboy Quintos).

Part 2 covers the Middle distance mens and womens. The 800m arguably the toughest event of the track. Having ran this the prolonged pain of the last 200m is a reminder of why I opted not to run this distance ever again.