INQUIRER Sports

CRESENCIANO SABAL topped the 33RD Milo Marathon national finals for the third time Sunday at the Quirino Grandstand but Christabel Martes’ victory in the distaff side came with a heavy price.

Sabal watched his younger brothers Gerald and Elmer lose steam before outlasting Eric Panique in the final five meters to prevail in two hours 32 minutes 56 seconds—a mere second ahead of the runner-up.

Mendel Lopez, the Cebu leg topnotcher last July, placed third in 2:35:41.

Martes easily won in 3:01:20 but was in danger of losing her slot in the national team.

Grace Delos Santos placed second in 3:14:20 while Luisa Raterta was third in 3:21:03.

The Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) prohibits marathon athletes from participating in races longer than 10K three months before the Southeast Asian Games to avoid risk of injuries and give the runners ample time to rest.

The 30-year-old Martes, the Metro Manila leg winner, knew what she was getting into but admitted she needed the P75,000 prize money

“Yes, I’m a candidate for ejection from the Philippine team,” said the four-time champion Martes, the youngest Milo winner at 21 years old in 1999. “I’ll just talk to them and explain. I need the money. I’m having laser therapy for my old injuries and I need to buy vitamins.”

However, she said she didn’t really exert effort and just maintained her average pace of three to four minutes per kilometer.

Interviewed by the Inquirer over the phone, RP team coach Joseph Sy said he didn’t know Martes defied the Patafa ban.

“Did she run the 42K?” Sy asked. “We will have to meet with her. Only (Patafa chief) Mr. Go (Teng Kok) can decide on sanctions.”

Eduardo Buenavista and Jho-Ann Banayag, both bronze medalists in the 2007 Thailand SEA Games, did not defend their Milo crowns because of the Patafa ban. Allan Ballester is the other RP team member.

Sabal had a similar run-in with Patafa after topping the 2007 Milo edition in 2:22:57. He earned a suspension as he refused to apologize to Patafa.

Still defiant, the 30-year-old Sabal, who also won in 2005, said he would rather compete in the upcoming Quezon City International Marathon on Oct. 18 and the Adidas King of the Road on Oct. 25, events he would normally miss if he were still a part of the national team.

“I’ll gain more experience competing against international runners,” said Sabal who, like Martes, would allot part of his winnings in purchasing vitamins.