Loraña, Roda, Balderama emerge 2-gold winners

CAPAS, Tarlac, Philippines — Hussein Loraña, Jessa Mae Roda and Rica Balderama added a second gold to their collection at the close of the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships presented by Philippine Sports Commission Sunday night here.

Loraña, Roda and Balderama picked up their second mints in topping the men’s and women’s 1,500 meter runs and women’s triple jump, respectively, at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium

Finally deciding to race in an event he last saw action in the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Championships in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Loraña broke away in the last 80 meters, checking in 3:49.12 to complete a golden double after his victory in the 800-meter race the previous day.

Roda, who won the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase earlier, added the women’s 1,500-meter mint to her trophy case in 4:37.01 in the championships co-presented by BCDA and New Clark City.

Joining them with two golds apiece was Balderama, who earlier ruled the long jump, leaping 12.42 meters for her second victory in the meet also sponsored by CEL Logistics Inc. and UAAGI Auto Group Inc.