Cebuano athletes start bid in National Open trackfest

NUEVA ECIJA — Reigning Palarong Pambansa hurdles king Jorge Pinanonang and Cebu's queen of the road Christy Sevilleno will lead the charge of Team Cebu City as they vie for honors in the 2006 National Open Track and Field Championship, which will open today here in Palayan City.

Pinanonang, Sevilleno and 16 other athletes from the University of Cebu (UC) and Southwestern University (SWU) will go up against the best track and field athletes of the Philippines including members of the national team and some parts of the Asia Pacific region.

Pinanonang will be competing in his favorite 400m hurdles event where he currently holds the Palaro record with a time of 55.1 seconds, while Sevilleno eyes for the medals in the 1,500m, 3,000m and 5,000m run.

The duo will be joined by seniors bets Edward Encontro (decathlon, long jump and triple jump), Adelio Chiang (800m, 1,500m and 5,000), Jeppy Lumongsud (5K and 20K walk) and Lyle Larida (shot put).

The bets in the juniors division are Anthony Santilla (100 and 200), Kenn Werner Villaruel (800 and 1,500), Anselmo Esgana (long jump, high jump and triple jump), Carl Jeannette Malazarte (3,000 and 5,000, Angela Sarah Siocon (long jump and triple jump), Janice Ann Bautista (100m hurdles and 400m low hurdles), Jerlyn Tuling ( shot put), Angela Labajo and Lera dela Calzada (100 and 200), Irin Baluran (long jump and triple jump), Annabel Nuñez (400 and 800) and Eden Dampios of SWU (walkathon).

The group is accompanied by coaches Nathalie Villasor and Danny Erana.

Already confirmed are entries from Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong, which will also be gunning for the top honors in the juniors and seniors division of the event organized by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

The stint of Team Cebu City is supported by the Cebu City Sports Commission through Councilor Sylvan "Jack" Jakosalem, University of Cebu president Atty. Augusto Go, Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay and sport patron Jonathan Guardo.