Laguna bets rule triathlon

Laguna bets Mark Candelaria of Calamba and Nancy Pajarillo of Pakil fashioned out similar come-from-behind victories in the first leg of the 2000 Ginsana Sprint triathlon series at Balayan, Batangas yesterday.

Candelaria, a newcomer in the national training pool, surged ahead in the halfway mark of the bike leg after coming out of the water in third position en route to dethroning provincemate Abet Alon-alon of San Pedro.

Pajarillo, the country's no. 1 lady triathlete the past two years and depending champion, made her move in the first kilometer of the run after contenting herself with trailing two pacesetters in the first two phases of the race.

Candelaria and Pajarillo, both Japan-bound next month for the Asian Triathlon Championships, clocked 1:04:43 and 1:15:58, respectively, over the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer and 5-km run course in the event sponsored by Ginsana food supplement and supported by three-term youthful Balayan Mayor Benjie Martinez, SPEEDO, Negros Navigation, PSC and POC Sport for All Commission.

Alon-alon, also Japan-bound next month for the All-Japan Strongman (3.5-km swim, 155-km bike and 42.195-km run), settled for runner up honors in 1:05:24 so with Popo Nagtalon of Quezon City in 1:19:25.