Mangrobang shines in Zambales festival

CANDELARIA, Zambales, Philippines – Kim Mangrobang booked a double with convincing victories in duathlon and the 2-km open water swimming in the inaugural Zamba Multisports Festival over the weekend.

After ruling the 3-km bike-30-km run-2.5-km bike duathlon in the morning, the 19-year-old Mangrobang came back in the afternoon to win the women’s race in 38 minutes, 33 seconds. She also placed fourth overall in a field of 12 in the 2-km open-water course that separated Candelaria and Potipot Island.

“Sobrang maalon, especially ‘nung pabalik, pero na-manage ko,” said Mangrobang, a fashion design freshman at the School of Fashion in Makati, a member of the National Triathlon Association of the Philippines team.

Mangrobang’s time was a mere six minutes off Matt O’Hollaran, the Canadian triathlete who is intending to become a naturalized Filipino and don the country’s colors in the 2014 Asian Games and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

O’Hollaran, a 25-year-old Quebec native, swam a tactical race.

“I preferred to start slow and build up on my speed as the race progressed so as not to wear myself down for tomorrow [triathlon],” said O’Holloran, whose 32:50 was some two minutes faster than second-placer Philip Jurolan (34:45) and four minutes ahead of Jeff Lagulto (36:25). Candelaria’s very own, Racleo Lemque, made his mark before his townmates by finishing fourth in 59:29.