"Pinaghandaan ko talaga ito dahil gusto kong patunayan na kaya ko pa," said the 48-year-old Antoque of the Philippine Army who became the Milo Marathon national champion in 1992. "Nag-seventh ako sa national (finals) last year, ngayon pipilitin kong makakuha ng mas mataas na pwesto."
But ruling yesterday’s qualifying race was not easy. He needed to outsprint two runners almost half his age in the last 100 meters of the 21-kilometer course to win the crown.
Antoque clocked one hour, 19 minutes and 14 seconds. Second placer Joseph Rosete, 25, came in five seconds later while Jujet de Asis, 23, placed third at 1:19:20.
"Nangunguna ako mula pa umpisa pero hindi lumalayo si Joseph (Rosete) at nung malapit na sa finish line, humabol pa itong si Jujet (de Asis) kaya binuhos ko na ang lahat para manalo," said Antoque, who placed second here last year behind his protégé Mamerto Corpuz.
Corpuz has qualified for the national finals in the Manila leg last July 25.
Antoque, Rosete and de Asis advanced to the national finals of the race held in partnership with Cebu Pacific, Bayview Park Manila, Globe Handyphone, Adidas and Department of Tourism. The national finals is slated Nov. 14 in Metro Manila.
The distaff side was likewise ruled by a former leg winner Maria Elena Torcelino.
"Medyo pinapaboran ko pa itong dati kong (knee) injury. Akala ko nga bibigay na kanina pero okay pa naman, nakayanan ko pa," said Torcelino, a P.E. teacher who has won six leg titles. "Mabuti na lang at wala masyadong malalakas na sumali rito at nakapag-pacing pa ako."
The 29-year-old Torcelino, who placed runner-up in the 1991 national finals, clocked 1:38:02, more than 29 minutes ahead of second placer Ermitha Arigo and 39 minutes ahead of third placer Norma Maranion.
Torcelino, Arigo and Maranion also qualified for the 42-kilometer national finals.
Topping the 5-kilometer fun run were Jeverson Galvez and Krista Manilag while the winners in the 3-kilometer age-group race were Jason Alonzo and Rowena de Torres (6-9 years old) and Russel Martinez and Raissa Ortiz (10-12 years old).