Athletics bets shine in test event

CAPAS, TARLAC—Sprinter Kristina Knott and long jumper Janry Ubas, still far from their sharpest for the 30th Southeast Asian Games, on Sunday ruled their events in the track and field test events at the athletics stadium inside New Clark City here.

Pole vaulter Hockett Delos Santos also impressed, and their performances have certainly raised hopes of Philippine glory come the Games late next month.

Knott clocked 24.42 seconds to seize the gold medal in the women’s 200m, defeating fellow Filipino-American Kayla Richardson (26.18) and Brunei’s Mahisin Maziah (27.02).

“My time is good since this is just a test event. But there are things that I still need to work on in the last few days going into the SEA Games,” said Knott, who has a personal best of 23.23.

Ubas, meanwhile, leapt to 7.52 meters in the men’s long jump to rule the event and seal his spot in the team despite being hounded by some domestic challenges back home. Aries Toledo claimed the silver in 7.49m while Algin Gomez bagged the bronze (6.83m).

Ubas has a personal best of 7.88m.

Delos Santos again proved his potential by clearing a career best 4.80 meters to capture the bronze behind gold medalist Patsapong Amsamang of Thailand (5.50 meters) and silver winner Porranot Purahong (5.20m).

Hurdler Francis Medina placed second in the 400m hurdles (51.66 seconds), just a split second slower than Indonesia’s Edwin Halomoan, who pocketed the gold in 51.35s, while both the PH men’s and women’s 4x400m relay settled for bronze.