UC repulses USPF in CESAFI athletics

The University of Cebu got a big scare from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation but still held on to retain the overall championship in the college level of the track and field competition of CESAFI.

The Webmasters finished the competition with a haul of 37 medals spiked with 13 golds, 17 silvers and 7 bronzes. USPF finished with the same number of gold medals, six silvers and 10 bronzes for a total of 29 medals. Third was USJ-R with an 8-3-5 medal tally for an overall harvest of 16 medals.

The day, however, belong to UC’s Jorge Pinanonang, who set a new record in the 200m with a clocking of 22.64, breaking the old mark of 22.80 set by RP Team’s Julius Nierras in 2002. In addition, he also dominated the 400m and 400m hurdles.

The other record breakers were Love Joy Intong of University of San Jose –Recoletos, who set a new record in the 200m with a clocking of 26.74 to break the record of 26.90 set in 2002 by Lyle Larida. She also won the 100 and 400m events.

Palaro medalist Harren Melendres of USPF broke his record in the 110m hurdles submitting a time of 15.39 seconds from 15.60 he set last year. He also dominated the long jump (6.26 meter) and triple jump (13.33 meters).

USJR’s Jefferson Querubin, on the other hand, also bettered his record in shut put with a throw of 11.92 meters from 11.50 meters that he submitted in last year’s competition.

In the relay, UC’s 400m relay runners timed 44 minutes flat to better their 44.55 minutes clocking last year.

The Panthers, however, showed UC what they could do as its track and field athletes dominated nine events, and for the first time in seven years, handed the latter a beating in the field.

Brothers Eugene and Joel Delposo led USPF’s onslaught with three gold medals. Eugene won two gold medals in 5K with a time of 18.02 minutes and 10K in 36.19 minutes while his brother Joel ruled the 3000 staple chase event in 10.48 minutes

Pearl Beronia was the other bemedalled athlete for USPF, winning the golds in the 3000m with a time of 14.01 minutes and 5K in 26 minutes.

The other USPF golds were courtesy of Ryanzel Ledamo who won the 800 in 2.01 minutes, Mendel Lopez in 1500m with a time of 4.26 minutes, Richard Custodio who recorded 43.81 meters in the men’s javelin throw and Elvie Codeñera, who ruled the women’s competition with a throw of 38.39 meters.  — Marigold P. Lebumfacil, Correspondent