CEBU is one of the triathlon hubs in the country and also the home of the up-and-coming prospects in the three-discipline sport. These junior triathletes will clash in the much-awaited Batang Pinoy National Championships in Baguio City on Sept. 15 to 21.
The 15-Under athletes in the national sporting meet organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will represent their local government units. The cities of Talisay, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu and the Province of Cebu will all have representatives in triathlon.
Triathlon coach Roland Remolino said that his students in the Talisay Luigi Triathlon Group will have separate teams in the national championships as some will represent Cebu Province, while others will represent Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.
Remolino will coach the Cebu Province team, which will have Nicole del Rosario, Jeanna Caneta, Karen Manayon, Psalm Aquino, Cj Lipura, Fresh Loraine Seguerra and Mariel Estreba.
The 2018 Alaska Ironkids Philippines champion Moira Frances Erediano will represent Lapu-Lapu City. Erediano, 13, will move up to the girls’ 13-15 division this year after winning the 12-Under title two years ago in Tagum City.
Erediano said that she’s doing well and the Alaska Ironkids race last month was a good preparation for the Batang Pinoy Nationals.
The Cebu City triathlon team, meanwhile, will be spearheaded by coach Alvin Loberanis and elite triathlete Jorry Ycong. The athletes are Juliana Nicole Loberanis, Dexia May Bersabal, Quentin Galo, Jude Adrian Lugay, Ruzel Edward So, and siblings Justine and Catherine Yu.
Talisay City will also send participants in triathlon and cycling in Earol Belonguil, Kendra and Kurt Gavin Cabando, Dave Zachary Fernandez, Matthew Justine Hermosa, Jacob Clint and Jacob Kennedy Lipura, Van Wincy Pagnanawon, Tenchi Nazar Semilla and Jason Christopher Canete.
Remolino said Cebu has a solid core but they should not be complacent since there are tougher contenders from Manila and other parts of the country. (RSC)