Lavandia, Bulauitan key Phl 4-gold haul

MANILA, Philippines - Erlinda Lavandia and Lerma Bulauitan-Gabito dominated their respective events as Team Philippines racked up four golds and two silvers in the 17th Asia Masters Athletics Championships at the Taipei City Sports Park in Chinese Taipei yesterday.

The haul brought Team Phl’s medal count to seven gold, seven silver and three bronze medals with still a day left in the competition.

Bulauitan-Gabito surpassed compatriot Elma Muros-Posadas’ games record in claiming her second gold medal with a victory in the long jump event for women 35-39 years old. She leapt 5.50 meters to eclipse Muros-Posadas’ 5.32 record established in Bangkok in 2004 and beat Paul Shy Lu of India (4.46m) and Sinobu Harada of Japan (4.22m).

Bulauitan-Gabito earlier won the century dash for her age group Sunday for the team backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Mizuno, Score (SportsCore Event Management and Consultancy), Sen. Chiz Escudero, Rexona, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. 

Lavandia was also as impressive as her record win in the javelin throw for women 60-64 years old on Sunday as he topped the hammer throw event with a 9.54-meter heave. She beat Hiroko Sato of Japan (7.78m) and Athar Kasumung of India (6.74).

Ramos, meanwhile, complemented her silver medal in the century dash with a gold medal win in the long jump event for women 50-54 years old. 

She leaped 6.30 meters to beat Chen Li Long of Chinese Taipei and Margaret Oh Son Tin of Singapore.

Emerson Obiena also played with an injured thigh but pulled through with a gold medal in the pole vault event for men 45-49 years old. 

His 3.60-meter jump beat his silver medalist brother Edward’s 3.40 meters for a 1-2 Philippine finish. Baldev Singh of India was third at 2.70m.

Calma contributed the day’s other silver medal as she finished second behind Zia Lou Xin of Chinese Taipei in the 1500 run for women 35-39 years old.