Ferrer, Jap expat clinch triathlon titles

Former national champion Michelle Montes-Ferrer turned the Enervon National Age-group Triathlon series’ fourth leg into a one-woman show even as Japanese expatriate Hiroshi Takei had to lean on his finishing kick to rule the men’s side in Sta. Cruz, Laguna over the weekend.

Ferrer, a 27-year-old Pakil, Laguna native absent from the triathlon scene for three years in favor of a swimming coaching job in the Middle East, covered the 750-meter swim/20-kilometer bike/5-km run course in one hour 25 minutes and 55 seconds, nearly 10 minutes clear of the opposition.

Takei, the 31-year-old bet based in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, was hounded throughout by former Asian masters king Alvin Alindogan of San Pedro, Laguna and was only able to pull away in the last two kilometers.

Takei crossed the tape in 1:16:27 with Alindogan who wound up runner-up checking in one minute and 33 seconds later in the event supported by Philippine Sports Commission, Province of Laguna, Speedo, Reliv and Monoc bike frames.

Ma. Melisa Gayle Lucas, 13, of Parañaque City grabbed runner-up honors, clocking 1:35:38.

Charmaine Cruz, 12, clinched third place in 1:36:37, Pia Cayetano, 37, fourth in 1:42:32 and Janelle Carmela Lynn, 13, fifth in 1:47:53.

Rounding out the top 10 in the men’s division were: third — Patrick Joson (1:20:40), fourth —Joevic Pajarillo (1:24:08), fifth — Carl Salvacion (1:24:16), sixth — Raul Cuevas (1:25:22), seventh — Abet Alon-alon (1:26:53), 8th Andy Reyes (1:27:15), ninth —Juneval Sta. Ana (1:27:25) and 10th Joseph Andrew Alon-alon (1:27:40).

Laguna sports and physical fitness head Dennis Lazaro, himself a finisher, PSC Laguna coordinator Joey Mosqueda and Laguna Sports coordinator Vic Sanchez, a former PBA player, awarded the medals to the winners.

The fifth stage of the series is set in Cagayan de Oro Aug. 24.