ILAGAN CITY—Explosive sprinter Ryan Bigyan might have claimed the biggest prize in the men’s 400 meter, but it was Michael Del Prado who caught everybody’s fancy on the final day of the 2017 Ayala Philippine National Open Invitational Athletics Championships.
Del Prado, a La Salle standout who has a rich track and field pedigree, nearly snatched the gold medal from his high-profile rivals in a photo finish with Bigyan, a national team mainstay.
“He’s (Del Prado) a promising talent. He’s not yet in the national team but he beat those who are there,” said national team coach Jojo Posadas.
Bigyan led the tight race in 48.39 seconds for the gold with Del Prado, son of the legendary Isidro Del Prado who still holds the 1981 national record in the 400m (45.57), getting the silver in 48.47 seconds.
Del Prado outsprinted Edgardo Alejan, who wound up third in 48.60 seconds, fourth-placer Archand Bagsit and Joan Caido, who checked in sixth.
The quartet of Bigyan, Alejan, Caido and Bagsit took the silver medal in the 4x400m relay of the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.
“I had a meeting with the coaches and I told them to consider Del Prado (in the 4x400m relay of the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games),” said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association secretary general Renato Unso.
There’s a possibility that Del Prado could join Fil-Am sprinters Eric Shaun Cray and 200m PH record holder Trenten Beram plus another runner to complete the 4x400m cast.
The 2015 relay squad settled for the silver after Thailand’s Kunanon Sukkaew nipped Bagsit at the line. The Filipinos topped the 4x400m in 2011 Palembang and 2013 Burma.
SEAG silver medalist Mervin Guarte pushed himself to the limit and toppled Malaysian Ahmad Luth Hamizan in the men’s 1500m in three minutes and 54.53 seconds. Hamizan timed 3:56.59 and Jomond Papau of Sabah placed third (4:05.62).
Danilo Fresnido reprised his role as the king of javelin after hurling the spear to 64.51 meters to defeat fellow Nationals Kenny Gonzales (63.83) and Melvin Calano (61.92).
The biggest upset was posted by Evalyn Palabrica of RP Team-Ilagan City, who topped women’s javelin in 46.29m at the expense of multiple SEAG medalist Rosie Villarito (45.85).