CSA runner shows way in PSC aquathlon

MANILA, Philippines - Aris Angelo Lico banked on his superb running skills to account for the best overall time in yesterday’s Philippine Sports Commission Aquathlon held at the Philsports Complex in Pasig.

Despite his limited preparation for the race organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the PSC, Lico, 17, showed staying power in ruling the 2K run, 1K swim and 2.5K run in 36 minutes, 29 seconds.

“This is my second time to join this race and I came in fifth last year. I was not that confident of winning because this is exam week in school. I just did my best and I’m happy with my performance,” said the Colegio San Agustin (Biñan, Laguna) high school senior who bagged the gold medal in the 16-19 age bracket.

Jose Arcega was second in 37:37 while Alex Carinan clocked 38:21 to claim the top spot in the 30-34 and 35-39 age brackets.

Other winners were Patrick John Ramirez (43:48) in the 20-24, Carlo Peña Chua (48:26) in the 25-29, Japanese Keita Hasegawa (40:02) in the 40-44, Gabriel Anaya (44:47) in the 45-49 and Eduardo Francisco Jr. (44:07), in the 50-and-over.

Pamela Banawa (1:23:36), Jossette Tanghal (55:16) and Rosalina Joson (50:26) emerged winners in the 25-34, 35-44 and 45-and-over in the female category.

Ninety-two aquathletes joined the race. Half of them competed in the SuperTri Kids with Everly Janarie Macalalad, Nicole Eijansantos and Jose Nobles IV leading the winners.

Ten-year-old Macalalad and 12-year-old Eijansantos, younger sisters of national pool members Edward Vince Macalalad and Kevin Lyndonn Eijansantos, showed their class by surpassing the time in the boys’ class.

Macalalad (5:08 ) and Eijansantos (10:01) bettered the winning times of Jacob Idan Balanag (5:50 ) and Fernando Diaz (11:11).

Fifteen-year-old Nobles from Zambales submitted 15:49 in the boys’ 13-15 while Regina Marie Paz Castrillo topped the girls’ class in 17:53 to complete the list of winners in the STK.

TRAP’s next race will be held next Sunday with the opening leg of the 2013 National Age Group Triathlon Series in Subic.