The 25-year-old de Asis, a member of the Philippine Army and has been campaigning in this annual foot race since 1999, grabbed the early lead but Rogelio Sarmiento took it away from him five kilometers left in the 21K race.
De Asis, however, recaptured the lead going into the final two kilometers and never looked back.
"Napa-aga kasi ang pag-speed niya (Sarmiento) akala siguro niya malapit na sa finish," said de Asis, who began preparing for this race in January. "Kaya siguro pagdating malapit dito ay napagod na siya."
De Asis, who hails from Sultan Kudarat but is now stationed in Taguig, clocked at one hour, 11 minutes and 20 seconds. Sarmiento crossed the finish line 20 seconds behind the winner while Gerald Sabal, the younger brother of Cresenciano Sabal, the reigning Milo Marathon king and 42K course record holder of 2:21:33, came in third at 1:13:15.
The three runners, however, will advance to the National Finals on Dec. 10 in Metro Manila.
Tolentino, on the other hand, was virtually uncontested in the distaff side of this foot race held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel-Manila, Adidas, Cebu Pacific, Department of Tourism and Powerbar.
The 22-year-old Tolentino, a varsity student of La Salle-Dasmarinas, won her first Milo Marathon leg seven years ago in Kidapawan City. She then captured four straight crowns in her home town of Cagayan de Oro City before topping the Lipa City stage last year.
She registered a time of 1:33:50 in ruling the 21K race yesterday.
Adjennie delos Santos placed second at 1:47:17 and Maricar Simsiman placed third at 1:57:36.
Cavite City Mayor Bernardo "Toti " Paredes and Vice Mayor Dino Chua helped Milo sports events executive Pat Goc-ong in handing the trophies and medals to the winners. The 21K champions also won P10,000 each while the second and third placers pocketed P6,000 and P4,000, respectively.
The 5K winners were Aljean Diente for the men’s and Frejelyn Roncales in the women’s. The 3K Kiddies age-group winners were Alfredo Herrera and Michelle de Vera in the 6-9 years old and Marc Pascual and Glenjayne Guarina in the 10-12 category.
The inter-school team running competition was ruled by The Sisters of Mary School while the Biggest Delegation contest was topped by Julian Felipe Elementary School.