MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal bucked the four-gold medal haul of SEA Games silver medalist Mervin Guarte of San Sebastian to rule athletics for the second straight year in the 87th NCAA at the Rizal Memorial Track and Field oval yesterday.
The Bombers, mentored by 90s track star Elma Muros-Posadas, husband Jojo Posadas and Rosito Andaya, finished with 740 points to beat San Sebastian, which had 591.66 points, for the crown.
John Albert Mantua, who won the shot put gold and took the silver medals in javelin and discus throw, bagged the MVP honors in line with the league rule that awards the title to the eventual winner of the event.
“The school is proud of the team,” said Jose Rizal’s Management Committee representative Paul Supan.
The 19-year-old Guarte, a Palarong Pambansa product who won two silver medals in last year’s SEA Games, topped the 1500m and 5000m and ended up with four gold medals.
In 1500m, the third year Hotel and Restaurant Management student clocked four minutes, 2.15 seconds to beat Jose Rizal’s Roldan Verano and San Sebastian’s Ferdinand Corpuz, who finished in 4:03.97 and 4:06.19, respectively.
Guarte also dominated the 5000m run, checking in at 15.44.38, more than half a minute ahead of Verano (16:19.44) and another Jose Rizal bet Ruen dela Torre (16:22.33).
“Last year I was supposed to be the MVP too but Jose Rizal won it so the MVP came from them. It happened again this year,” said Guarte, who took the MVP award two years ago, in Filipino.
Archand Christian Bagsit of Letran atoned for his sorry loss in the 100m dash as he ruled the 200m dash and 400m run events.
But those victories failed to lift Knights, who settled for fourth overall with 419 points behind the Perpetual Help Altas, who snatched third place with 464.83 points.
San Sebastian, meanwhile, lorded it over the field in high school play, finishing with 834.5 points and beating Emilio Aguinaldo, which had 661 points. Arellano U placed third with 482 points followed by La Salle-Greenhills (410.5) and Perpetual Help (190).