Phl vets settle for 2 silvers, 3 bronzes

CHINESE-TAIPEI – With injured Elma Muros-Posadas out, Team Philippines settled for a two-silver, three-bronze haul in the 17th Asia Masters Athletics Championships at the Taipei City Sports Park here.

Antonio Chee shattered his own games record in the pole vault for men 35-39 years old with a 3.80-meter feat but Yang Mu Wei of host Chinese-Taipei bettered the Filipino bet’s mark to bag the gold (4.40 meters) in his fourth attempt.

John Lozada also won a silver in the 1500-m event for men 35-39 years old with a four-minute, 29.48-second clocking, behind winner G.N. Karunathinaka of Sri Lanka, who clocked 4:28.67.

Team Philippines now has three gold, five silver and three bronze medals, its campaign slowed down by the sidelining of Muros-Posadas, who sustained a right thigh injury while vying for another gold in the 80m hurdles for women 45-49 years old.

Muros-Posadas earlier won the 100m dash gold to complement the victories by Lerma Bulauitan-Gabito (women’s 100m run, 35-39 years) and Erlinda Lavandia (women’s javelin throw, 60 years old).

Chee and Lozada’s silver medals also jacked up the silvers won by Victorina Calma in the women’s 35-39 years old 800-m run, Aurora Ramos in the 100-m dash for women 50-54 years old, and Lozada again in the 800-meter run for men 35-39 years old.

Helen Castillo, Arnel Lobos and Agustin Jarina were the other bronze medal winners for the team supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Mizuno, Score (SportsCore Event Management and Consultancy), Sen. Chiz Escudero, Rexona and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.