Delposo scores shocker; Sevilleno retains tiara

A runner whose father works at a vulcanizing shop in Badian scored a shocker even as Christy Sevilleno of University of Cebu (UC) collected her fourth consecutive championship crown to cap a very successful staging of the Cebu leg of the 30th National Milo Marathon yesterday.

Eugene Delposo of University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) stole the limelight away when he unseated defending champion Rogelio Reli of the Philippine Army to rule the premier 21-kilometer men's open division title.

The 19-year old Delposo negotiated the route, which ended at the Cebu City Sports Center in 1 hour and 12.36 minutes to lead the Cebu delegation in the Milo National Finals, which will be held in Manila later this year.

He will be joined by teammate and second placer Adonis Singson, who submitted a time of 1:13.08 and another revelation from Danao City, John Philip Duenas of the Northern Cebu Colleges.

Duenas, who is trained by Mendrica Bismanos-Villarubia, a former top long distance runner here, clocked 1:15.48.

It was a well applauded finish for Delposo when he arrived at the finishing line with some 20,486 runner witnessing his feat.

A first timer in the 21-kilometer distance, he was encouraged by his elder brother Elmer, another top trackster from UC, to engage in running to get a scholarship for his college education.

The defending champion, Reli dropped to fourth in 1:17.09, as he is yet to recuperate following a week of medication for his swollen foot.

Romeo Catulong was the fifth placer in 1:17.09 while former top runner, Terso Pamaybay, who just came home from Manila to join the event ended sixth in 1:17.38.

The rest of the top 10 finishers are Allan Oplinar (1:18.51), Crisde Gomonit (1:19.55), Tomas Nunez (1:20.26) and Jaime Manayaga(1:21.33).

In the distaff side, Sevilleno collected her fourth regional leg title even with less preparation after crossing the line in 1:36.49.

At second was University of the Visayas' Sharon Vega in 1:36.53.

Doris Nudalo, at 40 years-old, completed the top three in 1:52.34.

The fourth to 10th placers are Leonora Martus (2:02.23), Maria Cristina Lamparas (2:05.08), Virgie Rodriguez (2:06.15), PNP's Hazel Tomongtong and Araceli Arausa both with 2:19:24, Glady Timex's Sumile (2:19.58) and Felmar Baricuatro (2:20:12).

In the 5-k run, USJ-R's Xanderlyn Loloy ruled the men's division in 18 minutes and 50 seconds, defeating USPF's Ryanzel Ledamo, who timed 19:04 as Jeppy Lumongsod came out third with 19:34.

The fourth placer was Carl Jeannette Malazarte in 19:57 and the fifth finisher was Joel Delposo in 20:04.

In the girls' division, Sheena Gacayan of UC topped the field in 22:11 and she was followed by Joeyry Ann Lee in 22:26.

Jade Marie Recto of UC was third in 23:10.

Joeyry's brother, however, managed to win the 3-k's 0-9 years old age bracket while the distaff side had Ciarisse Diongson.

The 10-12 division, on the other hand, saw Jeric Banzon reigning supreme in the boys' side and Valiere Ligan in the girls' class.

The inter-school team competition saw the UC Maritime Education Training Center claiming the top post, defeating UC main while its Lapu-lapu-Mandaue Campus was third.

The biggest delegation award, however, went to the UC Main with 2,687 finishers beating UCLM with 2,687 and UC METC on third with 2,080 pinfalls.

The cheerdance contest saw the Southwestern University winning the college-high school division over Gothong High School as Cebu City National Science High School settled third.

The elementary division saw Cebu City Central School on top with Bario Luz Elementary School and the Lahug Elementary School at second and third places, respectively.