Manila: Hussein Lora±a and Jessa Mae Roda collected their second gold medals late Sunday in the ICTSI Philippine Open at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. Lora±a broke away in the last 80 meters to rule the men's 1500-meter run in 3:49.12. He won the 800m event the previous day. Roda, who topped the women's 3,000m steeplechase earlier, dominated the 1500m in 4:37.01.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lora±a expressed his determination despite limited rest. "I tried to sense myself after winning the 800m race the previous night and I was only able to get five hours of sleep due to overthinking," said Lora±a in a news release Monday. "My father-coach Bonifacio told me if I felt like I was capable of running the event then I should go for it. Eventually, I was able to get two more hours of sleep before the early night race, and I am so glad I did," he added.
Meanwhile, Rica Balderama won the women's triple jump in 12.42 meters to claim her second gold medal after dominating the long jump. Sharing the limelight was the national men's 4x400m team (Mico del Prado, Frederick Ramirez, Alrhyan Labita and Kharis Pantonial) which bagged the gold medal in three minutes and 13.25 seconds. KG Mercuries, the 4x100m relay champion, took the silver (3:14.31) and Team Espa±a got the bronze (3:18.68).
The La Salle-Taft quartet of Ashley Mecel Tabad, Jamaica Kate Saligan, Erica Marie Ruto and Lea Krizdea Ordinario captured the gold medal in the women's 4x400 relay in 3:56.78.
