Overseas-based track standouts gird for big PNG show

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino athletes with foreign lineage, led by national team stalwart Eric Cray, are expected to dominate their events when track and field competitions begin Saturday in the Philippine National Games.

Cray, the Southeast Asian Games 400-meter hurdles champ from El Paso, Texas, will be among the top attractions in athletics to be held at Philsports in Pasig.

Cray will also see action in the 100-meter dash where he hopes to break the Philippine record of 10.45 seconds set in 2007 by Ralph Waldy Soguilon.

Also showcasing her talent is Princess Joy Griffey, from Washington state, who will vie with personal best times of 11.58 and 23.93 in the 100 and 200, respectively.

A daughter of former national pool member Leah Nolido, Griffey is keen on breaking the PH records of Lydia de Vega of 11.28 in the 100 and 23.35 in the 200.

Two other Fil-Ams—long jumper Donovant Grant Ariola and high jumper Tyler Ruiz—will try to smash PH marks.