Atienza hepta runner-up again; Panique 3rd

NAYPYITAW—Drained of energy, heptathlete Narcisa Atienza wound up with a Southeast Asian Games silver medal for the third time yesterday.

The Army corporal from Rosario, Batangas, compiled 5,241 points in the seven-event discipline after capping her performance with a time of 2 minutes 38.70 seconds in the 800 meters for third place.

Thailand’s Wassana Winatho ruled the event with 5,556 points and teammate Sunisa Khotseemueang had 5,152 points for the bronze.

Earlier, Eric Panique, hobbled by cramps in the last five kilometers, placed third in men’s marathon.

Singapore’s Ying Ren Mok pocketed the gold in 2 hours 28 minutes 36 seconds and Thaung Aye of Burma (Myanmar) finished second in the 42.195-km race. Panique, the 2011 silver medalist, clocked 2:30:30.

“I just got exhausted in the end,” said Atienza, also second in 2011 Palembang.

The 34-year-old competed in the high jump early in her career.

Panique cramped up on both legs in the final uphill section of the 7.6 km loop, slowing the 30-year-old pride of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, in the homestretch.

“I was running in and out of second place throughout when pain hit me near the finish,” said Panique.

The Japan-trained Ying passed Aye, Panique and Palembang champion Yahuza of Indonesia, who faded after leading the nine-runner field for most part of the race.

Thrower Lorelie Sermona placed fourth in the women’s hammer throw, coming up with her best heave of 50.26 meters on her second try while pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena also missed a medal after failing to clear five meters thrice.

Down with the flu prior to her event, the bespectacled Sermona even hit a metal pole on her third attempt, creating a huge dent on the post that delayed competition.

Aiming to improve on the Filipino tracksters’ output of two golds are Mervin Guarte (800 meters),  Filipino-American Eric Shauwn Cray and Junrey Bano (400m hurdles) and javelin thrower Danilo Fresnido, who will see action Tuesday.