Patafa reinstates Tabal, paves way for possible Rio stint

Mary Joy Tabal. Photo from Cebu Daily New

MARATHONER Mary Joy Tabal is back with the Philippine athletics team.

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) Tuesday reinstated the 26-year-old Cebuana in the national squad to pave the way for her possible stint in the coming Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The Southeast Asian Games silver medalist and her benefactors sat down with the Patafa management headed by Philip Ella Juico the other day.

“We are pleased to inform you that the Patafa has decided to grant your request for reinstatement as a member of the Philippine national athletics team,” said Juico in his letter to Tabal.

Tabal can race in the Rio Games in August once the Patafa endorses her to the Philippine Olympic Committee and the International Association of Athletics Federations certifies her qualification.

“Your email is received with great excitement and motivation,” said Motor Ace president Jonel Borromeo, Tabal’s manager, in his reply to Juico. “Thank you for making Rio possible. It is every athlete’s dream to represent their motherland in the world arena.”

Tabal met the Olympic standard after clocking 2 hours, 43 minutes and 29 seconds in a marathon in Canada last month, eclipsing the Olympic qualifying time of 2:45.

But the IAAF has yet to confirm the status of Tabal and is set to announce the Olympic qualifiers on July 11.

Tabal, who resigned from the national team last year to participate in as many marathons as she can, said she sees no problem in complying with the rules and regulations of the Patafa.

Juico said the association will reevaluate Tabal’s status after the Olympics.

With Tabal’s entry almost certain, long jumper Marestella Torres-Sunang will be compelled to meet the women’s Olympic standard of 6.70 meters.

Torres, a two-time Olympian, is vying for a third consecutive trip to the Olympics after securing a slot through the Universality principle. But the 2009 Asian champion stands to lose her spot upon the approval of Tabal’s feat.

Torres said three more tournaments are lined up for her this month in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan and next month in Thailand prior to the Rio Games.