FROM cellar-dwellers to legitimate contenders, the UST Tracksters bucked their sixth place standing last season, finishing second with 197 points from a 9-3-4 gold-silver-bronze medal tally in the UAAP Season 68 athletics tournament from Feb. 9 to 12 at the Rizal Memorial Complex.
Defending champion Far Eastern University triumphed anew with 256 points, including seven golds, six silvers, and six bronze medals.
Despite earning more golds, UST fell short in the points tally that determined the event’s overall champion.
“UST fielded only 16 athletes, while FEU had a complete 20-man roster,” head coach Manny Calipes explained. “Even if we had more quality wins, FEU scored higher because they participated in more events.”
Although the Thomasian tracksters did not win the title, Calipes was thrilled at their marked improvement from their Season 67 stint, when they only had a single gold.
“Our goal was to set new records and we accomplished that,” Calipes said.
Veteran Ben Alejandrino established a new UAAP record of nine minutes and 32 seconds in the 3000-meter steeplechase, shadowing FEU’s Nelbert Ducusin’s one-year mark of 9:40. Alejandrino also erased Ducusin’s 5000-m run record of 15:42 with his 15:21 effort.
Meanwhile, team captain Benigno Marayag hopped his way to a new triple-jump record of 15.19 meters, eclipsing Tamaraw Darius de Rosas’ 21-year-old record of 15.1 m. Marayag emerged with three golds for UST, also topping the long-jump and high-jump events.
Thomasian Junrey Bano triumphed in the 400-m dash. Bano, Ted de la Peña, Marco Gacute, and Glen Arcangel composed the winning 4X400 m relay team. Jonnell Pamandan’s victory in the javelin throw completed UST’s golden harvest.
On the distaff side, the Lady Tracksters registered 212 points, including seven gold medals, good for second. FEU also championed in the women’s division with 347 points and 12 gold medals.
Season 68 Most Valuable Player Bernardita Mag-aso was responsible for UST’s gold rush, winning five gold medals in the 800 m, 1000 m, 1200 m run and 5000-m events. The diminutive Mag-aso was also part of the winning 4X400-m relay team, with Mercy Caña, Charmei Cabale, and Josephine de los Reyes.
“What she (Mag-aso) accomplished was amazing,” Calipes said. “I believe that she will set new records in the upcoming seasons.”
Following a much improved Season 68 campaign, the Thomasian tracksters, with sophomore aces Mag-aso and Bernardino at the helm, may just find themselves breasting the tape first and leaping over the hurdles quicker than their opponents next season. Don Gil K. Carreon
