Olongapo’s Nobles rules YOG

Jose “Ohj” Nobles finally took his place at the top among the male members of the Philippine youth developmental team after he ruled yesterday’s Philippine Youth Olympic Games (YOG) qualifier at the Alegre Beach Resort and Spa in Sogod town, northern Cebu.

Nobles, who hails from Olongapo City, Zambales, finished the race in 56 minutes and 12 seconds.

He came out second to the last in the swim event but snatched the lead during the bike leg and held on until the run leg to win the crown.

In second place was Cebu’s Justin Chiongbian with a time of 57:14 and at third place was Louie Lalanto, who clocked 57:48.

National coach Rick Reyes said that yesterday’s results showed that members of the developmental team are getting better.

“The impressive part is the depth. On any given day, they can beat each other,” Reyes said.

Reyes is referring to the fact that Lalanto won the Batang Pinoy 2012 and Chiongbian topped the Asian Duathlon. Both events will be used as basis in choosing who among the members will get to represent the Philippines in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China. Yesterday, Nobles proved he is a strong contender.

In the distaff side, Cagayan de Oro’s Kate Lagman dominated her category with a time of 1:11:38 while second place went to TriClark’s Vicky Deldio, who finished the race in 1:29:53.

In the supertrikids event, the Chiongbian siblings—Savvy and Yuan—reigned supreme in their respective categories. Savvy took the Girls 7-8 title while Yuan ruled the Boys 13-15.

In the Girls 7-8, Mikele Katerina Jopson crossed the finish line first but organizers said she made a wrong turn and relegated her to second place instead. Jopson clocked 9:35 while Chiongbian timed 10:59.

In the Boys 13-15, Yuan Chiongbian was trailed by Ralph Eduard So in second place with a time of 37:24 while Nathan Nalo (39:22) finished third.

The Boys 7-8 was topped by Jason Paul Mendez, who clocked 13:12 while relegated to second place because of a wrong turn was Dante Dietmar Doerr. He finished with  a time of 9:38.

The Boys 9-10 title was clinched by Russell Eduard So, who finished the race in 16:13. Placing second and third, respectively, were Nyko Archival (18:06) and Laszlo Tisno Doerr (19:01).

The distaff side was topped by Syrah Ruth Uy, who had a time of 15:54. She was trailed by Samantha Nalo (1:16:26) and Althea Ricci Mataragnon (22:53).

Ella Joan Stevens’ time of 26:16 bagged her the Girls 11-12 title. Placing second was Nina Francesca Villaba, who came in at 29:51 while Nyka Jenin Archival settled for third place with a time of 30:25.

Shaia Ruth Uy dominated the Girls 13-15 after clocking 41:10. Finishing second and third were Aaliyah Ricci Mataragnon (41:34) and Ana Patricia Maximo (52:18).

To be contested today is the National Age Group Triathlon.