Thursday, July 03, 2008 Sermona, Atilano tumble in Vietnam GP
HIMAMAYLAN City native and 2006 National Milo Marathon titlist Julius Sermona failed to make it three-in-a-row in the three-leg Asian Athletics Grand Prix during the weekend with a medal miss in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Sermona, winner of the bronze in the 5,000 meters in the first two legs held in Thailand, checked in fourth with a time of 8.36.91 seconds in the 3,000 meters.
Meanwhile, Sheena Atilano of La Carlota City, a former Palarong Pambansa sensation, placed fifth in the 100 meters in 13.29 seconds, won by Tao Yujia of China in 12.12 seconds.
Both Sermona and Atilano were honored here by the Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines (SCOOP Bacolod) during its 2007 SCOOP Awards for Outstanding Negrense Athletes at the Casa Linda of Bascon Hotel last December 29, sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) courtesy of Negrense commissioners Eric Loretizo and Ritchie Garcia.
Three-time winner Julius Nierras won the 400 meters in 47.36 seconds, which is a far cry from his personal best record of 45.56.
Sermona opted not to compete in last year's National Milo Marathon to defend his 2006 crown as he represented the country in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
He also decided not to compete in the recent Bacolod leg of the 32nd Milo Marathon in favor of his Asian Grand Prix stint where he already earned P44,000 in prize money after he finished with two bronze medals worth S500 each. (HCV)
