Tracksters yield to strong opposition

NAY PYI TAW – Filipino athletes fared badly against the opposition on the second day of track and field competitions, but they hope to win two or three more gold medals with a 20-member team competing in 21 events in the 27th Southeast Asian Games here.

Narcisa Atienza placed second again to reigning champion Wassana Winatho of Thailand, tallying 5,421 points behind the Thai’s 5,556 in the heptathlon event.

“The Thai is good in the sprints, while Atienza is strong in the field events. Atienza should improve on the sprints to be able to defeat the Thai,” said national coach Joseph Sy.

Eric Panique, who has replaced Eduardo Buenavista for the second straight SEA Games, could not match the stamina of Singaporean Ying Ren Mok, who used as rolling run in contrast to the long stride marathoners use, to overtake Panique and two others in the last 5K to win the gold medal.

 Ying Ren Mok  finished with two hours, 28 minutes and 36 seconds.  Thaung Aye of Myanmar was second in 2:29:50 and Panique third in 2:30:30.

“That Singaporean even went to Japan to train for this SEA Games,” said Sy. “That’s why I was not surprised with the outcome. Eric lost to a better, more prepared runner.”

Other field event bets trained by American coach Ryan Flaherty were hammer thrower Lorelie Sermona and pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, who placed fourth in their events.

Sermona over 50.26 meters in women’s hammer throw while Obiena also finished fourth, clearing the bar at 5 meters.

Eric Shawn Cray and June Rey Bano compete in the 400m hurdles heats early today, and, if they qualify they advance to the afternoon finals.

Defending champion Danilo Fresnido goes for the gold in the men’s javelin throw, while UAAP superstar Mervin Guarte vies in the 800m final.