Diones scores triple in NCAA track meet

MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal University’s Mark Harry Diones came through with a pair of golden efforts to become the first triple gold medal winner in the 90th NCAA track and field competition at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.

Diones, 22, reigned supreme in the 400-meter dash in 49.38 seconds and then topped the triple jump event hours later on a distance of 15.92 meters to add to his long jump mint he snared on opening day.

The Libmanan, Camarines Sur native bested Perpetual Help’s Francis Medina and Jose Rizal teammate Raymund Alferos, who settled for the silver and bronze in 49.76 and 49.84, respectively.

In triple jump, he fended off serious challenges from Lyceum’s Ronnie Maglipay and Jolo Bermudo, who jumped to 15.39m and 15.32m, good for a silver and a bronze.

Diones’ exploits capped the Bombers’ four-gold winning spree.

Dave Albarico ruled javelin in 61.16m ahead of teammate John Albert Mantua while Alvin Castanares emerged the winner in the 800m in 2.55.24 to keep Jose Rizal’s bid of winning a four-peat.

“We hope to keep winning gold medals and retain our title,” said Jose Rizal coach Jojo Posadas, who is being helped by wife and former track queen Elma Muros-Posadas, in Filipino.

Arellano University’s Immuel Camino copped the 5,000-m gold in 15:23.68 to spoil the bid of Albert Valencia to give Jose Rizal a fifth gold of the day.

Valencia wound up with a silver in 15:32.52 while Letran’s Rudyfer Hernandez settled for a bronze in 15:48.78 in this three-day event hosted by a committee chaired by Melchor Divina of Mapua.

Paul Supan, the NCAA Management Committee chair and Jose Rizal’s athletic director, said they’re right on target.

“We’re proud of what our athletes have accomplished,” said Supan.