Triathlon head discovers rising young star at Anvaya

MANILA, Philippines - David Verlee successfully defended his men’s title even as Andrea Preciosa Lagman ruled the distaff side in yesterday’s second Anvaya Cove Invitational Triathlon at the Beach and Nature Club in Bataan.

Eighteen-year-old Nikko Bryan Huelgas, the youngest participant in the elite race, shared the limelight with the champions by producing a performance worthy of his inclusion in the national pool of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).

The one-day race, organized by TRAP and presented by Globe Business in cooperation with Ayala Land Premier, is the final race of the 2009 triathlon season with 106 triathletes seeing action, including 30 kids in the Super Tri-Kids and Kids Aquathlon events.

“We continue to support triathlon because we really feel Anvaya Cove is the right venue for this event. Not only is the course tough and challenging but triathletes can also bring their families for bonding by using our amenities and see the scenic views inside Anvaya,” said Laurent Lamasuta, beach and resort general manager who, along with operations manager George Cadhit and resident manager Jovie Reyes, was present during the awarding ceremony.

Verlee, a Canadian based in Subic, surged ahead in the hilly portion of the 30K bike leg to survive the tough stand put up by Huelgas, who started competing in triathlon only last June.

“It was a good race and I had fun. I’m happy to defend the title and it was in the bike leg where I caught up with a lot of competitors and stayed in the lead the whole time,” said Verlee, who negotiated the 1K swim, 30K bike and 6K run in one hour, 50 minutes, 42 seconds.

Huelgas, a varsity player in swimming and athletics of La Salle where he is a second year marketing management student, came out second in the swim leg and had a two-minute lead over Verlee. He also was up by 150 meters against the veteran Canadian triathlete after the first of three loops in the bike leg.

“I lost wind because this is my first race in this distance because I was only competing in the mini-sprint class before. But I learned a lot especially in the bike route toughened up by many uphill climbs,” said Huelgas, who trailed the champion by just a minute (1:51:42).

Still his performance in this race supported by Speedo, Vitwater, David Salon and Gatorade, caught the eye of TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr., who said Huelgas accepted into the national developmental pool next year.

Aside from his strong second in this race, Huelgas’ domination of the Speedo Aquathlon early this year also weighed heavily in his inclusion in the TRAP pool.

“It has been my dream to be a member of the national team. I’m still young and I know I can develop my riding skills and become a good triathlete,” added Huelgas.

Third place went to 47-year-old Anthony Welsh at 2:02:46.

Lagman also made good use of her climbing skills to rule the women’s class in 2:48:42.

She takes the place vacated by last year’s champion and Mt. Everest veteran Carina Dayondon who can’t make it this time due to other commitments.

Arlene Buenviaje Juliano came second at 3:05:52 while television personality Maria Cecilia Pangilinan, racing in her second triathlon event, came in third in 3:26:57.

The age-group winners were Gregorio Jacinto (2:28:49) 16-24 years; Diego Carballo (2:05:47), 25-29; Elmer Santiago (2:22:26), 30-34; Jack Panambo (2:31:23), 35-39; Albert Altura (2:12:41), 40-44; Ernesto Lopez (2:18:43), 45-49; Niels Have (2:48:35), 50-54; and George Juico (3:52:35), 60-over category.