Obiena smashes junior pole vault record

ERNEST John Obiena shattered his own junior national record in pole vault and long-distance ace Jessa Mangsat clinched a second gold medal yesterday in the POC-PSC Philippine National Games at Philsports track and field oval.

Obiena, son of former national team member Emerson, cleared the bar at 4.54 meters to erase the old mark of 4.50 he established while competing for Ateneo in the UAAP on Dec. 4, 2012.

Far Eastern U’s Janry Ubas and Jodrel Mandawe of Run For Change shared the silver after both posted 4.20.

Mangsat, who reset the women’s 3,000m steeplechase record Tuesday last week, ruled the 10,000m in 39 minutes 23.29 seconds, beating FEU’s Jennismyll Mabunga (40:10.92), who was also the runner-up in the steeplechase.

Davao City’s Rafael Poliquit upset national standout Eduardo Buenavista in the men’s 10,000m.

Poliquit, who placed second in last year’s Milo Marathon 21K Finals, clocked 32:02.49 in nosing out Buenavista who timed 32:02.75. Eric Panique, the 2011 SEA Games marathon silver medalist, finished third in 32:55.39.

Alvin Lobreguito and Johnny Morte headed the victors in freestyle wrestling during the meet backed by Ayala Corp., Summit Mineral Water, Tea Monkey, STI Colleges, LBC, 7-Eleven, Milo, Procter and Gamble, Standard Insurance, Delos Santos Medical Center, Orchid Garden Suites, Puregold and Palm Plaza Hotel.

Lobreguito, a top SEA Games prospect from Quezon City, subdued Rodolfo Falcasantos of Zamboanga City in the 55 kg class while Morte, who is also seeking a slot in the competition in Myanmar, downed national youth ace King Bryan Guigona in the 60 kg finals.

Lobreguito, 19, surprised guest competitor and 2013 Australia Cup of Wrestling champion Gabriel Huang of Singapore in the preliminary round on his way to a second straight PNG title.

Also showing off their prowess on the mat in the freestyle event were Zamboanga’s Joseph Angana (66 kg) and Mandaluyong’s Kristan Anonuevo (84 kg), Erwin Marinas (96 kg) and Abdonavid Gharibi (120 kg).

Joshua Sapinoso, a 20-year-old Fil-Am wrestling find from Newbury, California, won two golds after topping the junior and senior classes of the 74 kg class at the expense of 2007 SEA Games silver medalist Alven Aragon.

Other winners in athletics were Josie Malacad (women’s 400m hurdles), Domingo Cabradille (men’s 400m), Charies Mae Violanta (women’s hammer throw), Chairy Palermo (triple jump), Isidro Del Prado Jr. (200m) and Rieveneth Jayed Penarubia (200m).

In karatedo, national aces Antonino Franco (-55 kg), Jayson Macaalay (-60 kg), Rexor Romaquin (-67 kg), Randolph Maragguin (-75 kg) and Alvin Bugal (-84 kg) won their bouts in the men’s kumite finals.

National boxers Josie Gabuco, Alice Aparri and Nesty Petecio dominated their rivals to clinch the gold in their respective weight classes. Gabuco demolished Jeanvee Flores, 21-4, Aparri crushed Nice Petecio, 15-6, and Petecio subdued Riza Pasuit of Negros, 31-5.