OUT to reclaim her old throne as queen of Southeast Asian (SEA) cycling, Jermyn Prado dominated the women’s criterium of the PhilCycling National Championships for Road in Tagaytay on Tuesday.
Ms. Prado, who struck gold in the 2019 SEA Games individual time trial also in Tagaytay but was dethroned in last month’s Hanoi Games, blew away the field in the race done under a points format and grabbed the gold with a full 20-point effort.
“I trained hard for the championships and I really wanted to win this one,” said the 27-year-old Ms. Prado.
Philippine Olympic Committee and PhilCycling President Abraham Tolentino himself flagged off the country’s first national championships after a two-year pandemic hiatus and witnessed Ms. Prado’s brilliance.
“Do your best and aim to become members of the national team,” said Mr. Tolentino, who was accompanied by PhilCycling secretary-general Billy Sumagui and Go for Gold chief Jeremy Go to greet the almost 600 entries.
Go for Gold’s Boots Ryan Cayubit topped the men’s side ahead of teammate Jonnel Carcueva and two-time LBC Ronda Pilipinas champion Jan Paul Morales, who wound up second and third, respectively.
Other category winners were 7-Eleven’s Rench Michael Bondoc (men’s junior Under 23), Pepito Khalil (men’s 17-18 years old), Guill Aisaiah Farin (men’s youth 16-under), Kim Bonilla (women’s juniors) and Angelica Altamirano (women’s youth).
The four-day championships is being co-presented by Standard Insurance, MVP Sports Foundation and Smart and backed by Chooks-to-Go, San Miguel Corp., Petron, Le Tour de Filipinas-Air21-One LGC, Tagaytay City, Go For Gold, Cavite’s First District, Batangas First District, Batangas and the Philippine National Police. — Joey Villar