MANILA, Philippines - National record-holder Nikko Huelgas comes in as the early favorite for the Elite Male title as topnotch triathletes clash in the Tri United 2 July 7 at the Playa Laiya in San Juan, Batangas.
Huelgas will bank on his bronze medal finish in the recent Phl National Games to pull off another win but he will be challenged by ULAH bets Augusto Benedicto, Philip Atento, Dan Brown and Benjamin Rana in the 2K swim-60K bike-15K run event.
On the distaff side, Kim Mangrobang (ULAH), also a former PNG bronze medalist, will face off with former national triathlon champions Ani Brown (ULAH) and Sandra Gonzalez (PLDT-Bike King).
In team competition, defending champion PLDT-Bike King defends its team long distance title against Army Navy South Tri, Century Tuna Tri Hard, Fitness First, Grantrail-24.7, Last Minute Tri Team, Starfish Tri, Team C24/7, Team Norman, Team Sante Barley, The Starting Line, TriMac, Unilab Active Health, UPLB Trantados Tri Club and Xycos.
In the teens side-event serving as qualifier for the Asian elimination for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Kate Lagman and Vicky Deldeo will be competing for the last female slot to join early qualifier Magali Echauz. Among the boys, a close fight for the two slots will be decided by Jimwell Patilan, Louie Lalanto and Justin Chiongbian.
The event is sponsored by Unilab Active Health, San Juan Mayor Rodolfo Manalo, Landco, Enervon Activ, Enervon HP, ION Energy Drink, Hydrite, AboitizPower, third District of Bohol, Pocari Sweat, TIMEX, Crystal Clear Purified Water, Orbea and the Association of Laiya Resort Owners (ALRO).
Participants’ personal accident insurance is sponsored by Western Guaranty Corp. Info on Tri United 2: www.unilabactivehealth.com and Bike King’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BikeKingPh.