Tough battle seen in triathlon

A battle royale among top Filipino triathletes looms in the horizon as the Enervon National Triathlon Championships gets underway June 2, at 6 a.m. in Subic Bay, Zambales.

Out to dethrone defending national champion New Jersey-based Arland Macasieb are 2002 NTT champion Noel Salvador (Bacolod), the consistently improving Mark Candelaria (Laguna) and the comebacking John Abdul of the Philippine Air Force. Not to be outdone are dark horses Peter Gonzales (Quezon City), Chris Aldeguer (Cebu City), Abet Biagan (Cebu City) and George Vilog (Davao).

The distaff side in the event, sponsored by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Speedo, Enervon, Nestlé PowerBar, Gerry’s Grill, Asia-Pacific Insulation Corp., Hotel La Corona, Velocity Bikes, Crossover 105.1 FM, POC and PSC, sees an equally wide open fight for the crown with Anna Marissa "Popo" Nagtalon (Quezon City) defending her title against 2002 NTT champion Ani Karina de Leon (Quezon City), Lakambini "Bing" Alto (Antipolo) and female junior record holder Kaye Lopez (Quezon City). Comebacks are expected in the category with Sandra Araullo (Quezon City), Amale Mendezona-Jopson (Cebu City) and Ripples Rafanan (Cebu City) ready for action.

The Under-23 (Junior Elite) is a wide open race with the presence of record-holder John Mark Yamoyam (Bacolod), Ian Gerard Rusiana (Dumaguete City), Jeype Campania (Dumaguete City), Atom Araullo (Quezon City) and Ralph Arche (Cebu City) while lining up for female title are Pearl Mijares (Silay City) and Ana Carla Panglinan (Cebu City).

On the Junior Sprint (16-19) side event, Andrew Alon-Alon (Laguna) looms as the early favorite along with JR Obial (Laguna).