INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines--Annie Albania's competitive nature and willingness to stay in top shape once again put her on top.

Maximizing her two-week break by momentarily crossing over to her first love, athletics, Philippine amateur boxing's golden girl created a stir Friday when she wrested the women's javelin throw gold medal in the National Track and Field Open Championships at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The 25-year-old Albania, a former varsity star at the University of the East but who is representing TMS Ship Agencies in this three-day meet, took the title with a 35.16-m effort and held fort after three events in women's heptathlon. Albania also bagged a bronze in long jump Thursday.

The results, however, belied Albania's playful demeanor Friday.

"I just wanted to work out before we resume training in the women's boxing team on Monday," said the two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, who is gearing up for the World Boxing Championships in October.

"I didn't want to waste the time doing nothing and I don't feel well if I don't do strenuous physical activities," added Albania, who easily ruled the women's flyweight division of the National Open Amateur Boxing Championships two weeks ago in Iloilo City.

Sharing the limelight with Albania on the penultimate day of the meet were TMS teammate Mercedita Manipol, who followed up her women's 3,000m victory with a gold medal in the 10,000m race in 36 minutes 52.86 seconds. Manipol was gunning for her third gold in the 5000m race late Friday.

Far Eastern sprinter Romnick Herida also sparkled by stunning RP Team mainstay Arnold Villarube for the century dash crown.

A virtual nobody when he was recruited by FEU after the 2005 Palaro in Iloilo, the hardworking 20-year-old from Ilocos and La Union clocked 10.87 seconds to beat Villarube (11.08) and Cebu's Anthony Santillan (11.17)

An FEU standout seeing action for TMS, Sharon Jizmundo took the women's sprint crown in 12.33 seconds over Agnes Gacusan of Bulacan (12.63) and Luville Dato-on (12.68).

Romulo Mostoles clocked 11.14 seconds for the juniors' 100m title to underline FEU's dominance of the sprint events. He won by the slimmest of margins over reigning Palaro champ Lindley Fran Navaja of Cebu in another stunning upset.