Tracksters snare two gold medals

BANGKOK — Sydney Olympian Eduardo Buenavista and Emerson Obiena struck golds as the Philippines continued its fine showing in the second day of action Friday in the Thailand National Open Track and Field Championships at the Thammasat Stadium here.

Buenavista, the 21-year-old pride of Sto Niño town in South Cotabato, exerted just enough effort in the absence of notable rival in clocking nine minutes and 01.08 seconds to top the 3,000-meter steeplechase towing compatriot Daud Mama to a 1-2 finish.

Mama, taking advantage of the host country's failure to field its top campaigners in the event, followed Buenavista to the tape in 9:16.03, 12.17 seconds ahead of a Thai rival.

Although happy with his victory, Buenavista later expressed disappointment for not facing Jirasak Suthichat, the Thai gold medal winner of the grueling event two years ago in Brunei where he finished third.

"Sayang, inaasahan ko pa naman na makakaharap ko uli siya ngayon para ma-gauge ang tsansa sa darating na SEA Games," said Buenavista, who had just been recruited by the Philippine Air Force following his stint in the Olympics.

Reports reaching Philippine Track and Field Association president Go Teng Kok had it that Suthichat is currently in the United States where he has been in training for the September Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Obiena, likewise, had an easy time soaring to 4.80 meters in ruling the men’s pole vault at the expense of his Thai and Malaysian rivals.

Obiena’s effort was .15 meter off his personal best 4.95 meters done two years ago during the 1999 National Open.

Two more silver medals and a bronze completed the medal haul of the big 27-man RP contingent which was sent here by the Philippine Sports Commission as part of the team’s build up for the 21st edition of the biennial conclave.

Percela Molina, bothered by a worn out pair of shoes she brought with her in the absence of still to arrive one supposed to be furnished by the PSC, could only score 4,996 points, way below her best 5,014, but enough to put her in second place behind winner Wassana Winatho of Thailand.

Winatho, the Brunei Games gold medallist, amassed 5,200 points for the six running, jumping and throwing events contested for two days, and Molina, actually ended up second and third to their rival from Kazakhstan, who in refusing to subject herself to doping test was stripped of the gold medal.

Christable Martes checked in 37:40.00 flat to likewise bring home the silver medal in the women’s 10,000 meters won by another Thai campaigner.

Five other Filipinos failed to make to the medal count as Nixon Mas could only settle for fourth place in the men’s discuss throw and Jimar Aing and Sean Guevarra both fifth in the 400mmeters and high jump, respectively.