Athletics team: Country’s best in years

CAPAS, Tarlac , Philippines —  The Philippine team’s track and field success in the just concluded 30th Southeast Asian Games at the New Clark City here could be the start of the sport’s resurgence similar to the Gintong Alay program in the 80s.

At the games’ conclusion Tuesday night, the Filipinos raked in 11 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze medals, the best by the country in the biennial meet since an 11-11-8 (gold-silver-bronze) haul 36 long years ago in Singapore.

But Elma Muros-Posadas, part of the powerhouse team from that golden era of athletics, said it would need a combination of determination and hardwork by the athletes and government support to sustain the country’s recent success.

“I’m happy that there is progress,” Muros-Posadas yesterday told The STAR in Filipino. “But for us to stay successful, the athletes should dream bigger and work harder and we would also need the government to continue supporting athletes,” she added.

Muros-Posadas, now 52 years old, should know what she’s saying as she was part of that Gintong Alay team that sparkled in the 80s.

As a 16-year-old, Muros-Posadas ruled and set national and SEAG marks then.

That same team included former Asia’s sprint queen Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Isidro del Prado, Erlinda Lavandia, Hector Begeo, Agustin Jarina and Renato Unso – all products of that famed Gintong Alay program.

Muros-Posadas said the presence of several Fil-Ams should not take away the luster from the host country’s strong effort – especially as the homegrowns delivered as well.

The homegrowns that had their golden moments were EJ Obiena (pole vault), Clinton Bautista (110m hurdles), Aries Toledo (decathlon), Sarah Dequinan (heptathlon), Melvin Calano (javelin) and Christine Hallasgo (marathon).

Eric Cray (400m hurdles), Kristina Knott (200m), Natalie Uy (pole vault) and William Morrison (shot put) were the Fil-foreign stars joining the winning mix.

The triumphant 4x100m mixed gender relay team was composed of Philippine-born Eloiza Luzon and Anfernee Lopena and Cray and Knott.

“It’s alright to have Fil-Ams because that’s competition and their presence brought the best from the locals,” said Muros-Posadas.