Kim, Claire make sea games grade

SUBIC BAY—Marion Kim Mangrobang has set her priorities straight. On top of the list is to represent the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games this August in Kuala Lumpur.

The 25-year-old Mangrobang, silver medalist in the 2015 Games in Singapore, finished fifth with a time of 2 hours, 12 minutes and 28 seconds in the women’s elite division of the Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) on Sunday.

Ma. Claire Adorna, the Singapore winner, wound up eighth overall with a time of 2:14:09 in the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40K bike and 10K run race.

Taking the men’s slots were John Chicano (1:59:55) and Mark Hosana (2:00:31), 14th and 15th placers, respectively, overall

Only the top two Filipino finishers qualified for the SEA Games. The third-best finishers will be the PH team reserves.

Reigning SEA Games champion Nikko Huelgas came in 21st in 2:02:22 while Edward Macalalad (2:02:58) was 22nd.

“I had a bad start,” said Mangrobang, last year’s champion here. “But I finished well. I tried to coordinate an attack in biking and pour it all in running but I was very tired.”

Yan Yin Hilda Choi of Hong Kong ruled the women’s field in 2:10:02 while Ryousuke Maeda of Japan topped the men’s class in 1:53:59.

Huelgas said he was disappointed with his performance and was hoping the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, led by Tom Carrasco, would organize another qualifying race.