UST’s Delos Santos bags UAAP pole vault gold medal
UST’s Delos Santos bags UAAP pole vault gold medal
By Jean Malanum
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POLE VAULT GOLD. University of Santo Tomas' Hockett Delos Santos competes in the UAAP Season 87 men's pole vault event at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac on Sunday (Nov. 17, 2024). He cleared 5.0 meters to bag gold. (UAAP photo)
MANILA – National team mainstay Hokett Delos Santos ruled the men's pole vault as University of Santo Tomas kicked off its title campaign in the UAAP Season 87 athletics tournament at New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac on Sunday.
Delos Santos, a silver medalist at the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Manila in 2019, cleared the bar in 5.0 meters to lead the Tiger Tracksters, who are seeking their eighth title.
Teammates Mejen Sumbongan and Sean Harry Narag made it an all-UST podium with 4.35 and 4.05 meters, respectively.
"We, Filipinos, have the potential. But we lack facilities," Delos Santos said.
He said he is excited for the future of pole vaulters in the country with a facility to be donated by fellow Thomasian and Olympian EJ Obiena.
“That's one of his dreams, to give back. If we have the facility, more kids will have the opportunity. If we don't have the facility, maybe EJ and me would not be 1-2 in the (2019) SEA Games,” he said.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines bets Mea Gey Niñura and Erika Burgos had a 1-2 finish in the women's 10,000-meter event.
Niñura clocked 39:52.39 to win the gold medal while Burgos, a member of the gold-winning mixed relay team in aquathlon at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, got the silver medal in 40:02.88.
Edna Magtubo of Far Eastern University claimed the bronze medal in 40:27.51.
UST led the overall standings in the men's division with 37 points after the morning session, while UP topped the women's division with 63 points.
In the high school division, University of the East's Sep Blesse Placido won the girls' 2,000-meter walk with a new UAAP record of 10:15.12.
Over at the Aquatics Center, rookie Miguel Barreto delivered Ateneo de Manila University's first gold with a victory in the men's 800-meter freestyle. He clocked 8:33.28.
De La Salle University’s Mikaela Talosig won the women’s event in 9:33.38, beating teammate Raven Alcoseba (9:42.05).
UST’s Aishel Evangelista won the gold medal in the boys’ division with a time of 8:59.93, while UP Integrated School rookie Liv Florendo grabbed the girls’ gold in 9:52.27. (PNA)
