Olympic, SEA Games track bets test mettle

FILIPINO tracksters led by Olympic-bound Marestella Torres and Rene Herrera will see action in three big international events this month and early July.

Hoping to sharpen her form before the London Games, the 2009 Asian championships long jump champion Torres will compete in the Asian All-Star/G. Kasanov Memorial Meet in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on June 30 to July 1.

She will be joined by Henry Dagmil (men’s long jump), Archand Christian Bagsit  (400-meter run) Junrey Bano (400m hurdles) and Merwin Guarte (1,500m run). Former national athlete Lerma Bulauitan will accompany the team as head coach.

Hererra leads the PH team competing in the ongoing Hong Kong intercity championships at Tseung Kwan O Sports Grounds.

Aside from Herrera, who will run in the 5,000m event, also testing their mettle are Arneil Ferreira in hammer throw; Narcisa Atienza in high jump, long jump, shot put and javelin throw; Rosie Villarito in javelin throw; Loralie Sermona in hammer throw; Benigno Marayag in long jump, Julius Nierras Jr., in 400m run; Manuel Lasangue in high jump; Julius Sermona in 5,000m and 10,000m; Isidro del Prado Jr. in 200m and 400m; and Gusti Pido in javelin throw.

Agustin Jarina Jr., Roselyn Hamero and Sean Guevarra are their coaches.

Rounding out the busy sked for the PH bets is the HCMC International Track and Field Championships-Vietnam Open from July 10 to 12 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Southeast Asian Games silver-medal winner Katherine Santos will compete in her favorite long jump and triple jump events. With Jeofrey Chua as coach, the other PH bets are Keizel Pedrina (400m), Josie Malacad (400m run and 400m hurdles), Lorna Clarito (400m run), and Hanelyn Loquinto (100m).

Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association president Go Teng Kok said the events will help prepare the two Olympians for the London Games as well as serve as barometer for the team in the SEA Games next year.