Lupio bests Sabal; sisters finish 1-2 in Davao run

MANILA, Philippines - Brian Lupio turned in a personal best time of 1:13:33 and bested three-time national champion Cresenciano Sabal to rule the Davao leg of the Milo Marathon elims in Davao City yesterday.

Lupio, 23, trailed Anthony Nerza and Sabal in the early going up to the halfway mark but made his move in the last seven kms to rule the 17th regional elims and pocket the top P10,000 purse.

Nerza settled for second in 1:14:30, while Sabal finished third in 1:17:26.

“Going into the race, I was wary of the competition because I heard that I will be running against Sabal and Nerza who are both strong runners so I really made an effort to prepare,” said Lupio.

Sisters Cynthia and Criselyn Jaro finished 1-2 in the distaff side with clockings of 1:31:48 and 1:32:47, respectively, in the race that drew 12,513 runners.

The top finishers in the 21k event all earned all expense paid trips to the Manila finals set Dec. 11 at the SM Mall of Asia.

Completing the top 10 in the men’s division were Ricky Grande (1:19:02), John Lyd Pasaforte (1:20:41), Mario Ecalner (1:22:02), Robert Daang (1:23:55), Ronald Dagaang (1:23:57), Rodien Hormigas (1:24:01) and Benes Delgado (1:27:31).

Meanwhile, the field contributed to the national Milo marathon’s “Help Give Shoes” advocacy to raise 500 pairs of shoes for students of Leon Garcia National High School, Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, Manuel L. Quezon Elem. School, Davao City National High School and Magallanes Elem. School.