WITH AN eagerness to restore their success, the Ateneo Track and Field Teams (ATF) returned to the oval for the third day of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Athletics Championships. The set of contests was held yesterday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

With Emilio Perez leading the charge, the Men’s Team increased their total points tally to 29 points. Meanwhile, the Women’s Team claimed their first point of the season following their stint at the 4x100m Relay.

Javelin Throw

The various athletics events kicked off with Season 86 finalist Perez once again showcasing mastery in his form at the Men’s Javelin Throw final. Perez topped his 51.24-meter performance from last season, covering a distance of 51.38 meters to place sixth overall and cop an additional four points for Ateneo.

400m

Commencing Ateneo’s track events for today were rookie Francesca Cheng and veteran Jasha Tan, who competed in the Women’s 400m in heats one and two, respectively. Cheng clocked in at 1:11.00, while Tan recorded a time of 1:07.97 that landed both Blue Eagles in eighth place on their assigned heats.

Meanwhile, Chonel Okolo and Joaquin Ipapo donned the Blue and White in the Men’s Division. Team Captain Ipapo bested his Atenean kin after a third place finish in heat three with a 51.68 second-finish. On the other hand, Okolo placed sixth in heat one with 53.26 seconds. Despite their best efforts, neither Blue Eagle qualified for the finals.

4x100m Relay

Entering the lone relay event of the day, Cheng and Tan returned to the oval alongside rookies Krisha Aguillon and Kat Duavit to participate in the Women’s 4x100m. The quartet wrapped up the relay in the eighth seat with a 54.28 second-finish, enough to obtain the squad’s first point in the tournament.

1500m

Aiming to add onto his gold medal victory from the Tournament’s first day, rookie Hasan Loraña competed in the Men’s 1500m Final. The rookie distance runner displayed his promising speed and heart to valiantly attempt to cross the finish line.

However, Loraña suffered an injury just before crossing the line to enter the final lap, consequently preventing him from finishing the race and dashing the hopes of what was anticipated to be another medal-worthy performance for the Blue Eagles. 

As the UAAP Athletics Championships enters its final stretch, the ATF seeks to acquire more meritorious hardware and increase invaluable points to their tally on this penultimate day at 2:00 PM in the same venue.

Men’s Standings — Points (Gold-Silver-Bronze Medals):

1. UP Fighting Maroons – 207 (3-5-4)
2. UST Tiger Tracksters – 147 (4-4-2)
3. FEU Tamaraws – 143 (3-1-3)
4. AdU Soaring Falcons – 103 (0-3-4)
5. UE Red Warriors – 91 (3-0-2)
6. NU Bulldogs – 86.5 (1-2-0)
7. DLSU Green Tracksters – 30 (0-0-0)
8. ATENEO Blue Eagles – 29 (1-0-0)

Women’s Standings — Points (Gold-Silver-Bronze Medals):

1. FEU Tamaraws – 280.5 (5-4-6)
2. UST Lady Tracksters – 194 (6-3-2)
3. UP Fighting Maroons – 171 (3-4-3)
4. DLSU Lady Tracksters – 131 (2-3-2)
5. NU Lady Bulldogs – 63 (0-1-2)
6. AdU Lady Falcons – 56 (0-0-1)
7. UE Lady Warriors – 47 (0-1-0)
8. ATENEO Blue Eagles – 1 (0-0-0)