Top triathletes keep PNG titles

DUMAGUETE CITY—Nikko Brian Huelgas and Marion Kim Mangrobang easily retained their triathlon titles  even as Iloilo captured two arnis golds yesterday in the POC-PSC National Games here.

The 21-year-old Huelgas, representing Las Piñas, was unchallenged in the men’s division as he covered the standard distance of 1.5-km swim, 40K bike and 10K run in two hours, three minutes and 46 seconds.

Jonard Saim of Gen. Santos City (2:17:34) came in second, while John Chicano of Olongapo third (2:29:26).

Mangrobang, from Sta. Rosa, Laguna,  prevailed by almost 10 minutes in the women’s side with a time of 2:26:43. Mirasol Abad of Davao was second in 2:36:17 while Alexandra Ganzon of Iloilo clocked 2:44:36 for third.
The 21-year-old Mangrobang recently brought honor to the country when she topped the Mekong Duathlon in Thailand then placed second in the Mekong Triathlon which were held just days apart.

Glory Joy Bartonico and Warlie Gumban shared the spotlight when they ruled their respective events in arnis anyo in the Games organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, and sponsored by Smart, Summit water, Standard Insurance, TV5, AKTV, 2Go, Cebu Pacific, Accel, Pocari, Scratch It, SM and Puregold.

Bartonico, 18, bagged the gold in  women’s individual single weapon anyo, while Warlie Gumban topped the men’s individual double weapon anyo categories at the Cosca Gym.

A fourth placer last year, Bartonico said she only perfected her routine the other day and skipped breakfast to practice the whole morning.

“It’s unexpected, I’m very happy because I made my routine only yesterday,” said the college sophomore taking up Education-Math at the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology

Her smooth and snappy form using a stick boosted Bartonico past Reignerose Esguerra of Pasig and Claire Danga-as of Baguio City, who wound up second and third, respectively.

Slated to also compete in the combat events, Bartonico also grabbed the bronze in the women’s double weapon behind gold medalist Nina Allona Gae Tabor of Cagayan de Oro and silver winner Danga-as.

Also grabbing attention was Elmer Batani, who won the men’s singles weapon anyo gold. Like his Baguio City teammates, he stood out as he competed in an Igorot costume complete with bodily drawings, printed loincloth and headband.

“I’m an Igorot and I’m very proud of it,” said the 20-year-old Batani, a second year education student at the University of Baguio, who earned his second PNG win after sharing in the team gold last year.

In junior triathlon, Manila’s Allen Santiago finished the 750m-swim, 20K-bike and 5K-run in 1:08:15 for the men’s gold.
Davao’s Pauline Forneza ruled the women’s side in 1:18:56.