Huelgas out of SEA Games individual triathlon

MANILA, Philippines — Nikko Huelgas will get a chance at copping a third straight triathlon gold in the Southeast Asian Games. But he would have to earn it in another event – the mixed relay team.

Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) president Tom Carrasco yesterday bared the national team’s final SEAG roster with John Chicano and a promising young talent in Kim Remolino competing in the individual event where Huelgas struck gold two straight times in 2015 in Singapore and 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.

Huelgas, 28, was listed in the mixed relay squad that also included Chicano, Fer Casares, Kim Mangrobang, Kim Kilgroe and Claire Adorna.

Mangrobang, a gold medalist in 2017, and Kilgroe form the female individual side while Mark Hosanna and Karen Manayon were listed as reserves.

But Huelgas’ place in the biennial meet is not yet cast in stone as competing countries are allowed only two entries per gender in the SEA Games set in December at the Subic Bay Boardwalk in Zambales.

“As per International Triathlon Union rules, only two entries per gender plus one reserve are allowed and the decision on our final entry will be made one day before the event,” said Carrasco.

Remolino, 19, made it to the team after emerging as the top Filipino in Subic last May and Gyeongju, South Korea last June, finishing 17th place in both events, and ahead of Chicano and Huelgas.

Chicano is a SEAG silver medal winner in 2017.