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BASTA PINOY! SPORTS REVIEW

VENCE STAMPS CLASS, RULES MILO MARATHON MM ELIMS

MANILA, July 30  -- Youthful Allan Ballester was a
picture of strength and stamina all day long but in the end it was still vintage Roy Vence who stood up proudly at the podium.

Showing the heart of a true-blooded champion, the 35-year-old Vence overcame a slow start and then outran the lead pack en route to outsprinting Ballester in the last 100 meters to rule the Milo Marathon Metro Manila elimination.

Aside from the gleaming trophy and a P10,000 cash prize, Vence also earned a slot for the National Finals slated sometime in December.

The 34-year-old Vence, who's eyeing a record six national title in this prestigious event, crossed the line in one hour, six minutes and 41 seconds.

Ballester poured all his might right from the start but he could only check in just five seconds off Vence (1:06.46) even as Crisanto Canillo finished third at 1:10:03. 

"Medyo wala pa sa bearings dahil halos hindi pa ako
nakakapagpahinga mula sa Thailand. Habol ko lang muna mag-qualify, pero noong maramdaman ko na kaya naman ng tuhod ko, pinaspasan ko na," said Vence, who earned one of two automatic slots in the
national athletics team bound for Sydney Olympics in September.

Ballester pulled away from the pack in the final two
kilometers but Vence used his vast experience and the multi-titled runner outfoxed his youthful rival to win the Manila leg.

Vence, however, had some kind words for the 23-year-old Ballester, younger brother of former Milo champion Wilfredo.

"Malakas na bata. Kung magtitiyaga lang ng konti may mararating 'yan," he said.

Cristabel Martes, the country's leading distaff marathoner, as expected dominated the field to also book a slot in the national finals.

Martes, considered as the only Filipina to finish strong (12th place) in the tough Singapore Open late January, completed the 20K race in one hour, 21 minutes and 06 seconds followed by three-time
national champion Hazel Madamba (1:26:55) and Jona Gayumba-Atienza (1:30.00).

"Hinintay kong may lumabas na malakas sa first two kilometers para kahit papaano may magandang laban pero wala, kaya tinuloy-tuloy ko na lang," said the 25-year-old music professor at the Baguio Institute.

Martes, who was eased out by long-jumper Lerma Bulauitan for the other Olympic slot, actually, was supposed to run in the Avon International Run but the Italian Embassy refused to grant her a visa.

"Sayang iyong pagkakataon na iyon. Nakakainis dahil
pinaghandaan ko iyon. Kaya itong takbo ko talagang paraan ko lang para maibsan iyong frustration ko," said Martes, who topped the local Avon run for three straight years. (SNS)

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