Favorites to win, PH triathletes reminded not to be complacent

Nikko Huelgas.

KUALA LUMPUR — Let’s not get over confident.

That’s the stern reminder of triathlon top boss Tom Carrasco to the four Filipino triathletes who will try to retain the country’s double golds Monday in Putrajaya.

Last SEA Games’ champions Nikko Huelgas and Ma. Claire Adorna will once again suit up along with John Leerams Chicano and Marion Kim Mangrobang, who won silver in 2015.

“We are the favorites, everything is looking good, but I told the players, let’s not put our guards down,” said Carrasco after a lunch meeting with his team.

Field reports said the waters of Putrajaya is 31 degrees, which is hotter than usual.

“We need to get used to it, so they had a swimming work out today (Saturday),” Carrasco added.

Huelgas and Chicano have been competing and training in Johore Bahru since June 29 and getting acclimatised should not be a big problem to them.

Carrasco said the pair competed in Palembang, Indonesia and finished five minutes ahead of the Indonesians.

Adorna and Mangrobang have been training in Portugal and competing around Europe, according to Carrasco.