12 more track bets boost Patafa pool

AFTER a successful campaign in the last Southeast Asian Games,  more slots have been allotted in the training pool of the Philippine track and field team.

From 48 athletes, the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association headed by Philip Ella Juico was authorized by the Philippine Sports Commission to add 12 more athletes to the pool, which already boasts of 19 priority athletes.

Led by Filipino-American hurdler Eric Cray, the national team brought home five gold medals, highlighted by record-breaking feats by Cray in the 400m hurdles and by Caleb Stuart in the hammer throw, in the last SEA Games in Singapore.

Cray and Stuart are high up in the priority list along with gold medalists Kayla Anise Richardson (women’s 100m) and Christopher Ulboc Jr. (steeplechase).

Joining them are silver medalists Jesson Ramil Cid (decathlon), Ernest John Obiena (pole vault), Melvin Guarte (800m) and the 4x400m quartet of Joan Caido, Ryan Bigyan, Edgardo Alejan Jr. and Archand Christian Bagsit.

Former long jump queen Marestella Torres also got another crack, as well as Rosie Villarito (javelin), heptathlete Narcisa Atienza, triple jumper Donovant Arriola Jr., long-distance runner Jessica Barnard, hurdler Patrick Unso, decathlete Janry Ubas and Riezel Buenaventura (pole vault).

A total of 41 athletes were named to the training and developmental pool led by Isidro del Prado Jr., Katherine Kay Santos, Mary Harry Diones, Karen Janario, Benigno Marayag, Rafael Poliquit Jr., Jose Renato Unso and Mary Grace Delos Santos.

Also in the pool are Jomar Udtohan, Angel Carino, Louielyn Pamatian, Emily Jean Obiena, Aira Teodosio, Mark Vincent Ramos, Francis Medina, Sarah Dequinan, Dave Albarico and Aries Toledo.