Local bet rallies to win IronKids II

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines — Local bet Moira Frances Erediano overcame a slow start and essayed a pulsating come-from-behind victory in the girls’ 13-14 hostilities of the Alaska IronKids Triathlon II in front of delighted relatives at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa yesterday.

Erediano, a proud daughter of Lapu-Lapu City, struggled in the swim, where she logged 7:20 and initially ranked outside the Top 5, but picked it up in the bike and blitzed past the early leaders in the first 400 meters of the run to check in at 41:12.7 and win her second title of 2018 after her triumph in Triathlon I in Davao.

“It was really challenging. I was really slow in the swim and I had to make fast in the bike and run,”  said 13-year-old Erediano, who beat Nicole Marie del Rosario (42:01.1) and Jeanna Mariel Canete (43:11.4). “The presence of relatives really motivated me.”

Zedrick Borja of San Pedro, Laguna, meanwhile, outraced Olongapo’s Clifford Pusing in a nail-biting sprint finish to cop the boys’ 13-14 crown by 0.1 second.

“This is my most unforgettable win because it was a close finish and all my sacrifices in training paid off when I reached the finish line,” said the 14-year-old Borja, who ended the season as a two-leg victor, having reigned in the Duathlon II race in Subic earlier.

The two figured in a neck-and-neck duel all the way home with Borja reaching the finish in 38:24.0 and Pusing close by at 38:24.1. Earol Belonguil ( 39:49.5) took the bronze.

“I really pushed myself hard and gave it my all,” said Borja, who also ended a string of disappointing finishes in Cebu.

Justin Hermosa (34:49.2) and Kira Ellis (38:02.2) ruled the 11-12 category while Carron Paulter Canas (27:48.5) and Zurielle Kenzie Galo (30:29.0) dominated the 9-10; and Kenshie Luke Cabando (18:52.7) and Christy Ann Perez (21:51.1) topped the 6-8 competition.