TUGUEGARAO – Jhonn Marc Dizon of Central Visayas defended the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase title in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games at Cagayan Sports Complex track and field stadium on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, here.
He clocked 10 minutes and 0.9 seconds to beat Ken Jay Moreto of Western Visayas and Francis Michael Pueblo of Western Visayas.
“I focused my training on the 3000m steeplechase because I know for myself that I’m good at this event,” the 22-year-old Special Education student at the University of San Carlos in Cebu said. “I’m determined to win. My confidence level was high during the race and I’m very happy that I achieved my goal.”
Dizon placed fourth when he debuted in the 2023 edition hosted by Zamboanga City.
He will try to retain the 10,000m run title on Friday against a tough field that includes fellow Cebuano Mark Mahinay, who also kept his 5000m crown Monday.
“I expect a strong challenge but I came prepared. I just hope to perform well,” Dizon said.
After the PRISAA National Games, he will join the Philippine Open scheduled May 1 to 4 at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
Dizon also topped the Cebu leg of the 7-Eleven 21-kilometer marathon in February to earn a slot to the national team competing in Pattaya, Thailand, in July.
Mahinay still champ
Meanwhile, Mark Mahinay of Central Visayas achieved his goal of winning back-to-back gold medals in the men’s 5000-meter run on Monday.
The 22-year-old Cebuano from Catmon town clocked 15 minutes and 26.3 seconds to beat Ken Jay Moreto (15:44.3) and Mark Rennel Hubag (15:48.B) of Central Mindanao at the Cagayan Sports Complex track and field stadium.
“I want to improve my time (15:22.9) last year in Legazpi City but the air here is different. It’s hard to breathe,” Mahinay, a third-year Information Technology student at University of Cebu, said.
“I was also experiencing cramps in the last four laps, but I told myself that I have to finish the race,” added Mahinay, who set a personal best 15:17.00 while training in Cebu.
He has two more events: the 1500m and 10,000m.
In the boys’ 3000m steeplechase, Ken Ryzen Herrera of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) won the gold medal.
Herrera registered 10:30.5 to prevail over Clark Andrew Samar of Bicol Region (10.34.2) and Kent Miles Cabasa of Western Visayas (10.45.5).
Other winners on Tuesday include Matt Atanas (men’s shot put), Luis Emmanuel Sombilon (boys’ shot put) and Maribell Regala (girls’ long jump) of Western Visayas; John Edward Carbonell (boys’ 110m hurdles) and Rhain Chantal Ayesha Viado (girls’ 100m hurdles), Leishen Kate Masangkay (girls’ 400m) and Xyndrex Chris Orinion (boys’ 400m) and Angel Mae Saysay (women’s 5,000m) of CAR; Jumar Torremocha (men’s 110m hurdles) of Central Visyas; Angelie Teorima (women’s 100m hurdles) of Ilocos Region; Ruby Lorete (women’s 400m) of Central Luzon; and Renzo King Catulay (boys’ 400m) and Marja Jean Bacaro (women’s long jump) of Negros Island Region. / PNA