"I’m having plans. I’m planning to retire. I’m already 31," said Lerma after finishing second in the long jump, fourth in the century dash and in the 4x100 relay of the 23rd SEA Games, which is probably her last.
Lerma posted a best of 6.45 meters in the long jump finals last Sunday, which was off the SEA Games record of 6.52 set by the legendary Elma Muros during the 1989 Kuala Lumpur edition.
Maristella Torres, younger and stronger, took the gold with a jump of 6.47. It was the first SEA Games gold for the holder of the Philippines record of 6.63 set in Korea last September.
"I’m turning things over to Maristella. She’ll be the one to carry the team from now on," said Lerma after admitting that Maristella, at 24, is just nearing the prime of her career.
"She’s got a long way to go. She’s got a lot more to show while I’m barely trying to stay in shape," added Lerma.
She said she’s not interested in trying out for the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.
"I’m not even thinking of the next Asian Games. It’s no longer in my mind," said Lerma, who clocked 11.87 seconds in the century dash and missed the bronze by just a fraction of a second.
The gold went to Vu Thi Huong of Vietnam (11.61).
In Tuesday’s 4x100 relay, Lerma teamed up with Sheena Atilano, Sharon Jizmundo and Torres as they wound up fourth behind the quartets from Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.
"I was not expecting anything from these two events. In fact, I think the only event here where I really had a shot at the gold was the long jump. But it’s fine with me because the gold went to Maristella, my compatriot," she said.