Chicano, Mangrobang rule PNG triathlon; Patilan, Fornea gain 16-19 titles

MANILA, Philippines - Olongapo bet John Chicano displayed the gains he made with his two-month training in Brisbane, Australia as he ruled the 20-and-over men’s division in yesterday’s 2013 POC-PSC Philippine National Games (PNG) triathlon held at the Philsports in Pasig City.

The race, organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, was held at the sprint distance (750m swim, 20K bike and 5K run) with Kim Mangrobang ruling the female 20-and-over for the third straight year. Youth Olympic Games candidate Jimuel Patilan and Pauline Fornea bagged the 16-19 titles.

PSC commissioner Jolly Gomez joined POC chairman and TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr. in handing out the medals and certificates to the podium finishers dominated by the members of the national pool.

Chicano overcame a slow start in the swim to win his first ever PNG title in his second try.

“Third placer ako last year sa Dumaguete at this year, malaki ang naitulong sa akin ng training sa Australia. Puro speed work at power ang ipinagagawa sa amin,” said Chicano who was timed at one hour, 56 seconds.

He came out of the pool in fourth place almost a minute behind two-time defending champion Nikko Huelgas but he worked hand-in-hand with Saim in the bike where they caught up with the early leader.

In the run phase Chicano unleashed all his energy to leave behind the General Santos City bet Saim who took the silver medal in 1:02:34.

Huelgas  was third in 1:03:15.

Mangrobang overcame a tough course to remain unbeaten in the female side as she negotiated the race in 1:13:34.

Mirasol Abad, who joined Chicano in the Brisbane training, came in second at 1:14:42. She however submitted the best bike (38:29) and run (20:35) splits in the female division that augurs well in her drive for a respectable showing in the World Games Duathlon in Cali, Colombia this July.

Patilan, 15,  clocked in at 1:06:02 to dominate Allen Santiago (1:07:26) and Ed Macalalad (1:07:47) while Fornea timed at 1:17:12 to pull the victory over Kate Lagman (1:27:09).