CAPAS, Tarlac – Hussein Loraña narrowly missed a new national record while ruling the men’s 800-meter race, while the KG Mercuries, led by former national sprinter Anfernee Lopena, emerged from nowhere to capture the men’s 4×100-meter relay on the penultimate day of the ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission Saturday night.

In another event-filled day at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium, the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games gold medalist surged from behind in the final 100 meters to overtake erstwhile-frontrunner Oyam Kent Espinosa, clocking one minute and 48.39 seconds.

He was just 0.87 of a second off the seven-year-old national record of 1:47.52 set by Fil-Am Carter Lilly on April 19, 2019, at the Bryan Clay International in Azusa, California, in the meet co-presented by BCDA and New Clark City.

It was the third men’s 800-meter title for the former UAAP Season 86 MVP in the athletic showcase, with the ICTSI Foundation as title sponsor.

A two-time SEA Games men’s 100-meter bronze medalist, Lopena powered a strong start for the KG Mercuries, which was sustained by second and third runners Vicjardi Tapia and Ralp Anthony Lego.

It was left to PRISAA track standout Kent Paul Burdan to anchor the squad and bring home the gold in 40.56 seconds in the championships sponsored by CEL Logistics Inc. and UAAGI Auto Group Inc.

Pinoy Athletics settled for silver (40.57), while the national team (40.70) took bronze in the competition organized by Philippine Athletics, also supported by Pocari Sweat, Clark Water, and Masiv Sports.

However, the night did not go well for the national women’s quartet of Lauren Hoffman, Kristina Knott, Jessica Laurance, and Lianne Diane Palma, after the team was disqualified for a faulty handoff from Knott to Laurance.

Malaysia secured gold (45.63), UST took silver (48.62), and La Salle-Taft (48.90) completed a 1-2-3 finish in the women’s 4×100-meter relay of the tournament, which is also backed by Energya and Cherrylume.

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Under a new coach, 33rd SEA Games veteran Fil-Am Sydney Joshua Yap threw the hammer to a personal best of 50.65 meters to claim his first gold in the meet after finishing runner-up in the previous edition.

Aided by closest rival John Celestino Romero’s failure to register a valid mark in the pole vault, Janry Ubas completed a golden double with 6,440 points to capture the decathlon title.

Under the banner of the Philippine Vault Club, Romero took silver (5,865), while UST’s Rolly Royo earned bronze (5,634) in the 10-event discipline.

Early Sunday morning, 33rd SEA Games marathon silver medalists Sonny Wagdos and Artjoy Torregosa — who also competed in a 21K road race at the Manila Marathon the previous day — still had enough energy to top the men’s and women’s 10,000-meter runs, respectively.

Competing in their third event since Tuesday, Wagdos clocked 31:10.64 for his second medal of the trackfest after taking silver behind Yacine Guermali in the men’s 5,000-meter race.

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Torregosa added her second gold with a winning time of 36:34.74, following her 5,000-meter title earlier.

“Although sa tingin ko, kaya ko naman na ma-break yung record. Though sa tamahong panahon pa yon,” said Loraña after his near record-breaking performance.

“I am hoping to break it sa Asian Under-23 championships in Ordos, China, next month,” added the athlete ahead of the inaugural Asian U23 meet set from July 9 to 12 in the Chinese city.

“Ang sabi ko sa mga kakampi ko na hindi kami underdog at malakas kami na sa amin ang PRISA triple gold medalist (Burdan) and NCAA best freshman (Tapia),” Lopena said. “We knew we could win this race.”

“Solid team yan,” Clinton Bautista said matter-of-factly of the champion relay squad after he and fellow PH relay members Al Hyan Labita, Kent Francis Jardin, and Kharis Pantonial were left chasing the KG Mercuries.

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San Beda-Rizal, Bagong Ilog Volleyball Club, and Kaito Volleyball Academy topped their respective pools to lead the six teams advancing to the Echelon Under-16 Club Invitational second round on Friday at the SM Southmall Events Hall in Las Piñas City.

Joining the pool leaders in the next round, where teams will compete in a single round-robin format, are Parañaque Volleyball Team, Capital1, and PLDT.

The top four squads will advance to the semifinals of the tournament presented by Everyday Volleyball and supported by the City of Parañaque, Milo, Immuni+, McDonald’s, Rexona, Magnus Sports, Toby’s Sports, AveoWorks Solutions Inc., and Mama Lou’s.

The Baby Red Spikers dominated Pool A, cruising to four wins, including two that activated the mercy rule after securing a 15-point lead.

San Beda defeated PVT, 25-17, 20-5, while also beating HDE twice, 25-19, 19-4.

“It’s our first league na sinalihan no, it’s a very new team, so I’m very happy that the girls showed up, performed well, and showed discipline. It’s a very well-organized league. I hope this is the first of many leagues na ibibigay sa grassroots,” said head coach Ray Rosales, who shared that his Baby Red Spikers were formed just three weeks ago.

PVT still sealed its spot in the next round thanks to 25-21, 25-17 wins over the HDE Bulls.

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Meanwhile, BIVC also finished undefeated in Pool B after 25-21 and 26-24 wins over Capital1, while also taking down Upskill Antipolo, 25-19, 18-3.

Reneez Cornes’ back-to-back hits on a quick attack and a solid block completed the BIVC Lady Phoenix’s comeback from six points down against the Capital1 Solar Sunnies.

“Mixed emotions po kasi this is my first time na mag-coach ng ganitong klaseng league, nagko-coach naman ako sa school pero this is my first time na ganitong setup. Sobrang thankful ako sa team kasi yung isang game, talagang ginawa ng girls ng paraan para makuha ‘yung game,” shared Lady Phoenix head coach Mark Adrian Cabralda.

Capital1, despite being tied with Upskill Antipolo at second with identical 1-3 records, will enter the next round due to superior point differential.

Created to strengthen the grassroots ecosystem of the sport, the inaugural Echelon U16 featured nine teams divided into three pools, with each team playing four games in a double round-robin elimination. The top two squads from each group will advance to the second round to be held on June 13, still at the same venue.

Director Rea Epistola of the Office of the Executive Secretary, Parañaque City Administrator Atty. Ding Soriano, and Parañaque RTC Executive Judge Leilani Dacanay-Grimares graced the opening ceremony of the grassroots tournament organized by Agencia de Echelon.

“Every great athlete starts somewhere. Not in a national training center. Not in an international tournament. But in local communities, school programs, and grassroots competitions like this [Echelon U16 Club Invitational]. This is where confidence is built, this is where talent is discovered, this is where dreams begin,” said Epistola, who also delivered the ceremonial first serve.

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Kaito finished first in Pool C with a 3-1 record, posting 25-18 and 25-17 victories over Spike & Serve Volleyball Academy, along with a 25-19 win over PLDT.

The Junior High Speed Hitters later avenged their loss to Kaito with a 25-18 victory, finishing with a 2-2 record in second place.

Spike & Serve’s lone win came against PLDT, 25-11.

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Another one of Bella Belen’s wishes came true on Wednesday night as Capital1 selected UST libero Detdet Pepito with the second overall pick in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft, reuniting the former teammates at the professional level.

Belen had earlier seen one of her wishes fulfilled when the Solar Spikers signed reigning PVL MVPs and former Cignal stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos earlier in the offseason. Now, she has realized another, with Pepito—her former elementary teammate and close friend—officially getting drafted and beginning her PVL journey, bringing their shared path full circle at the professional level.

Indeed, things continue to fall into place for the once-rebuilding Capital1, as the team keeps adding key pieces to its young core in a move that could elevate it into contender status in the coming seasons.

For Belen, it feels like everything is meant to be.

“Siguro meant to be rin para sa amin ‘yung mga hinihiling ko,” said Belen.

“And thank you, Lord, thank you, Lord. Ayun, siguro meant to be lang talaga sila para sa Capital1.”

(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team

But while the Solar Spikers now boast an upgraded and promising roster, Belen stressed that talent on paper is one thing, and execution on the court is another, noting that it will ultimately be up to the team to put everything together.

“Since marami na kaming recruit this year, hopefully mas maganda yung team composition namin now, and siyempre hindi naman porket naka-recruit kami ng talented na players ay magiging madali na—training pa rin and chemistry pa rin,” said the 23-year-old outside hitter.

“Volleyball is a team effort talaga. Excited lang ako sa magiging journey ng Capital1.”

Belen also reflected on finally teaming up with Pepito, saying they never expected to reach this point when they were younger during what they jokingly referred to as their “jejemon days,” but are grateful that their hard work over the years has paid off.

She added that she is beyond excited to finally share the court with Pepito after years of fierce UAAP battles.

“Siyempre, noong mga panahon namin na ‘yun, noong jejemon pa kami, hindi namin in-expect na aabot kami sa ganitong lagay kung nasaan kami ngayon. And sabi ko, ‘yun nga, nagka-draft na eh, so may chance talaga na magka-teammate kami ulit, pero hindi ganun kalaki,” said Belen.

“So ngayon, sobrang happy ako na teammates ulit kami ni Detdet. Excited na ako kung paano na kami ngayon na hindi na kami jejemon, ’di siguro mas matured and mas marami na kaming lessons from past years namin as a player.”

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