Tabacon, Jopson rule NAGT leg

MANILA, Philippines - Jefferson Tabacon and former national team member Amale Jopson dominated their rivals to rule their respective divisions in the fourth leg of the Century Tuna National Age-Group Triathlon (NAGT) series at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Cebu last weekend.

Tabacon bucked the scorching summer heat and tough competition to top the men’s side (20-24) in one hour, 42 minutes and 6 seconds. Dan Climaco, winner in the 45-49 age group, came in second in 1:43:05 while 25-29 category runner-up Dominic Tan placed third in 1:43:17.

Jopson, on the other hand, clocked 2:11:53 and reigned in the ladies 30-above category of the annual event which drew close to 300 triathletes, including over 50 youths who vied in the first Cebu SuperTriKids (STK) series.

Hannah Galo placed second in 2:15:15 while Louie Villacin turned in a 2:16:14 for third. Galo and Villacin both belonged to the 20-29 category of the event sponsored by Century Tuna, Plantation Bay, Mayor Paz Radaza and councilor Harry Radaza of Lapu-Lapu City, Municipality of Cordova, Standard Insurance, Philippine Sports Commission, RUNNR, Dan’s Bike Shop, RCTV, ARENA, Rudy Project, SMART and Y101.

Meanwhile, Rochelle Tan, who vied in the 16-19 ladies class, impressed triathlon coach Melvin Fausto, who invited her to try out for a slot in the junior developmental pool of the Philippine triathlon team along with other youths who showed a lot of promise during the two-day kids triathlon clinic that preceded the STK and NAGT events.

National team mainstay Sixto Lalanto held off Justin Liam Chiongbian to win the 13-15 category title in 30:37 in SuperTriKids event.

Other winners were NAGT: Jebb Cane (Male 16-19), John Philip Duenas (25-29), Noy Jopson (35-39), Tyrone Tan (40-44), Boyer Galanga (50-54), Craig Rice (55-59) and Nigel Short (60-above);

STK: Xeemon Sage Cuyos and Mikele Katerina Jopson (6-under), Andre Castanares and Syrah Ruth Uy (7-8), Aldrich Alvez and Jillian Bernad (9-10), Fredric Albert Yuan Chiongbian and Nina Francesca Villaba (11-12).