THE ATENEO Track and Field Team (ATF) concluded the final qualifiers for Schedule A of the 2025 Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) Weekly Relay Series in a display of skill and resolve.
The loaded Blue Eagle roster of 18 athletes competed earlier today, August 30, at the PhilSports Athletics Stadium in Pasig City.
Discus throw
Newly-minted national record holder Russel Ricaforte, straight off his debut with the national team at the Asian Throwing Championships in South Korea, returned with an impeccable performance despite already being qualified for the finals.
The Blue Eagle Team Captain notched a distance of 52.89 meters, securing first among all competitors in today’s final qualifying meet.
Meanwhile, sophomore Airex Villanueva put up a commendable mark of 37.48 meters, finishing at seventh overall in the seniors’ division.
Following suit, incoming rookie Denver Tacay continued his impressive showing from July, finishing fourth in the under-20 division with a final mark of 40.48 meters. Moreover, decathlete Chonel Okolo put up a distance of 23.29 meters.
Shot put
Moving onto the other end of the throwing area, Villanueva improved on his throw from the previous qualifiers with his best distance being 12.47 meters to rank seventh overall. He was followed by fellow sophomore Doy Costelo, who threw a distance of 10.96 meters, also in the seniors’ division.
In the under-20 men’s division, Okolo finished 17th with a mark of 10.52 meters, while Tacay ranked 23rd with a distance of 9.39 meters.
On the other hand, lone women’s representative Yden Candelario competed in the under-20 category. The holdover from the ATF’s high school program finished in ninth with a mark of 8.51 meters.
High Jump
Rounding out the field events for the Loyola Heights-based squad, the Blue and White’s jumpers entered the final round of qualifiers with grit and determination.
In his debut for the Blue Eagles, rookie Edward Escobar competed in the men’s under-20 high jump and ranked 20th overall after clearing a height of 1.70 meters.
Triple Jump
Over at the sandpit, both Escobar and freshman Sean Dino repped the Blue and White in the men’s under-20 division.
Escobar jumped a distance of 11.86 meters, while Ateneo High School product Dino leapt to a mark of 11.17 meters, finishing 24th and 26th, respectively.
100m
Kicking off the track festivities for the Blue Eagles, Mikan Reyes, who previously participated in the long jump during UAAP Season 87, suited up for Ateneo as their lone representative in the men’s under-20 100m event and bolted to the finish line at a time of 12.36 seconds, finishing third in his heat.
On the other hand, Kat Duavit represented the Blue and White in the seniors’ division of the women’s category. The junior finished at 15.71 seconds and fifth in her heat.
In the women’s under-20 division, both Atenean bets put up remarkable times in their respective heats. Veteran Krisha Aguillon finished first in her heat and sixth overall after clocking in at 12.83 seconds, while rookie Jonalyn Halasan ranked second in her heat and ninth overall with a time of 13.07 seconds.
400m
Closing off the solo sprint events, three Ateneans competed in the men’s under-20 400m event. In a race focused on endurance, speed, and strategy, the Blue Eagles impressed with stellar marks in their slate.
Rookie Matthew Luis Angeles finished fifth overall after sprinting to a time of 50.77 seconds, while Carlos Miguel Nacario ranked first in his heat and tenth overall at 51.87 seconds in his first race coming out of injury.
Meanwhile, Blue Eagle decathlete Okolo rounded out the fray after clocking in at 57.24 seconds to finish third in his heat.
In the women’s senior division, Sammie Souza finished first in her heat and 11th overall with a time of 1:09.03, while Team Captain Francesca Cheng finished closely at 13th, clocking in at 1:12.61.
4x100m Relay
To cap off the final day of qualifications, the Blue Eagle quartet of Halasan, Aguillon, Rhea Lego, and Sophia Dela Vega highlighted Ateneo’s Saturday stint.
In the women’s under-20 4x100m relay, the ATF sprinters soared past the competition, finishing in first place with a final time of 49.96 seconds. The Blue Eagles topped all their opponents from Far Eastern University and De La Salle University, who finished in second and third respectively.
With the official list of finalists for Schedule A to be announced by PATAFA at a later date, the Blue and White will prepare as they await the cumulative results for the finals on September 20 at the same venue.
