Adamson bet nails 1st gold in Philippine meet

ILAGAN CITY, Isabela, Philippines — Adamson’s Raziebel Fabellon took the games’ first gold medal in women’s high jump yesterday while Phl team/City of Ilagan’s John Albert Mantua extended his reign in shotput to a fourth straight year in the Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex here.

Fabellon, 19, posted a personal-best 1.65m leap to beat rival Josefa Ligmayo of Nueva Vizcaya and Roma Faye Basco of University of Baguio, who had 1.60m and 1.40m, respectively, and claim the first gold disputed in the five-day meet.

Fabellon, cousin of SEA Games medalist Mervin Guarte, later said she didn’t only eclipse her previous best of 1.60m but also bested Ligmayo of Far Eastern U, who beat her for the gold in the UAAP last February.

“I’m happy because I set a new personal-best and beat the same person (Ligmayo) who beat me in the UAAP,” said Fabellon, a third year Business Administration student.

Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Mantua, coming off a bronze medal effort in the Taiwan Open a week ago, dominated his side with a heave of 15.85m to repeat as winner of men’s shotput for the fourth straight year.

Brynoth Alarick Larry and Zulkifli Bin Saidin of Sabah, Malaysia took the silver and bronze with 14.32m and 14.09m throws, respectively.

Macrose Dichoso of Phl Army gave everything she got to meet the qualifying time for a spot in the national team but failed in the end in copping the women’s 10,000m gold in 39:41.00.

Army teammate Jho-An Villarma, a former national team member, and Team Titus’ Lany Adaoag clocked 40:30.87 and 42:13.86 for the silver and bronze.

Christabel Martes, a double-gold medal winner in the Phl Natl Games in Cebu City last week, faded early and did not finish due to exhaustion following a stint in Singapore.

In men’s long jump, Julian Fuentes of Phl team/City of Ilagan firmed up his spot in the national team as he beat Janry Ubas of RunRio/UP and youthful Jose Jerry Belibestre of Negros Occidental for the gold with a 7.71m effort.