Clark SEZ - RP team spearhead American-born Arland Macasieb and Pakil, Laguna's Nancy Pajarillo displayed their readiness for the April 23 Asian Triathlon Championships in Japan by ruling the Ginsana Duathlon here.
It was a breeze for Macasieb, No. 2 duathlete and No. 3 triathlete in the 20-25 years age group back in the US, after closing his bike stage with a hefty edge. However, Pajarillo, the undisputed local duathlon and triathlon queen, had to pounce on a tactical error of pacesetter Popo Nagtalon to clinch the win.
Macasieb covered the 5-km run/30-km bike/5-km run event sponsored by Ginsana Food Supplement, Speedo, Negros Navigation, Clark Development Corporation and POC Sports For All Commission in 1:24:53.
Pajarillo, bucking a bum stomach that has been bothering her the past two days, poured it all in the last 50 meters after closing the gap to 10 meters between her and Quezon City's Nagtalon with 200 meters to go to force the latter to surge prematurely.
At the wire, Pajarillo still had five seconds to spare, posting a time of 1:41:52 to Nagtalon's 1:41:57.
Zamboanga City's John Abdul settled for second place at 1:26:30.
Rounding up the overall winners circle were Davao City's George Vilog, who finished just a notch behind Abdul in Taiwan, at 1:26:55 and Phil. Science High School alumna Katherine Kaye Lopez, runner-up in 19 years and under group in last year's Asian Triathlon Championships at 1:58:11. RP's top duathlete Lorenzo Daniela of the Philippine Air Force checked in at 1:30:31 to settle for fifth overall only and first in the 20-29 years class.
TRAP President Tom Carrasco, CDC Public Info Services Manager Sonny Lopez, Boehringer-Ingelheim Events Coordinator Jake Labiran and TRAP Administrative Assistant Carlo Carrasco handed the awards to the top finishers.
The awardees included: 19 & below- Marlon Cruz (1:35:27), 20-29- Winnie Marie Chan (2:07:26), 30-39- Peter Gonzales (1:31:56) & Ma. Victoria Amara (2:02:41), 40-49- Edgardo Pedregoza (1:27:33) and 50-59- Reny Gonzalez (2:11:34).