MANILA, Philippines - John Chicano and Franklin Peñalosa head a crack roster of Filipino triathletes vying for top honors in the Century Tuna 5150, the largest Olympic distance triathlon series firing off June 23 in Subic Bay.
Chicano and Peñalosa finished 1-2 in the Filipino elite category in last year’s staging of the event with the duo vowing to improve on their overall fifth and 11th finishes, respectively, in the upcoming edition of the annual series.
Others expected to join the hunt are SEA Games 2011 bronze medalist Dhill Anderson Lee, current holder for standard distance Marion Kim Mangrobang, 2012 Ironman 70.3 Philippines Filipino Elite topnotcher August Benedicto, 2012 Ironman 70.3 Philippines sixth placer, Filipino Elite category Philip Dueñas, Ford Ironman World Championships qualifier Noy Jopson and Olympic hopeful Nikko Huelgas.
Monica Torres, who finished first in at least 10 races last year, including 2012’s Filipina Elite category of Century Tuna 5150, will be among the marked triathletes in the Professional category. Torres is a four-time Ironman 70.3 Philippines Elite champion.
Other swim-bike-run veterans vying are are Rochelle Tan, Banjo Norte, JennrunRose Guerrero, Kevin Lyndonn Eijansantos, Norman Resurreccion and Santino del Castillo.