Biagan, Gonzalez rule 2nd Talisay triathlon

ALBERT “Abet” Biagan and Cianyl Gonzalez bagged the men and women’s over-all titles in the 2nd edition of the Talisay Triathlon yesterday at the New Talisay City Fish Port.

Biagan completed the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5K run in 1:07:05, beating Ian Rusiana (1:07:22). Last year’s winner Kristiane Lim settled for third place in 1:08:53.

Gonzalez clocked in at 1:26.02 to clinch the women’s title over Louie Villacin (1:29:03) and Loveleinell Casidsid (1:31:12). Last year’s winner Rochelle Tan skipped this year’s race to attend to an out-of-town affair,

Fourteen-year-old Justin Liam Chiongbian, Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC) major awardee, took the 19-under age group title after crossing the finish line in 1:11:53.

Chiongbian, who is among the top five contenders for the PHL slots to represent the country in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Nanjing, China, was joining the sprint division for the first time. It will be the distance used for the the upcoming YOG.

“It was really hard. I experienced unexpected pains and I believe I need more practice with the said distance,” Chiongbian said.

Chiongbian was followed by Jezerel Tan (1:22:29) and Jose Bacasmas (1:26:10).

Meanwhile, marathoner turned triathlete, John Philip Duenas is starting carve a name in triathlon as he won the 20-29 division in 1:12:09. He beat Cris Calinawan (1:12:19) and Jezam Baldimar (1:17:43).