Mitch Robins and Manami Iijima pulled out at the last minute, leaving Jakub Langhammer and Sam Betten to dispute the men’s pro crown and Dimity Lee Duke and Laura Wood and Dimity Lee Duke to slug it out in their side of the battle in the Black Arrow Express 5150 firing off today in Subic Bay.

Robins, who nipped Betten in the last of the two-loop run leg to rule the inaugural staging of the event last year while ending the latter’s reign in 5150 races held over the world class course at the country’s triathlon hub, withdrew for undisclosed reasons.

Iijima, who humbled the multi-titled Duke with a strong performance in the opening swim leg of the event set over the Olympic distance of 1.5-kilometer swim-40-kilometer bike-10-kilometer run, begged off due to injury.

“I think my chances are good as I’m feeling fit and have done some great training over the last six weeks,” said Betten, who had dominated the Subic 5150 races for three years before Robins foiled that streak in the event sponsored by one of the country’s top cargo movers and organized by Sunrise Events Inc., now part of the IRONMAN Group.

“I’m probably the fittest that I have been all year for this event. So I’m really excited to be racing tomorrow (today),” added Betten. “Having finished second last year, I’m very hungry to get back to No. 1 this year,” said Betten. “I hope to make up for this with what will hopefully be a great performance in Subic.”

With Iijima out, Duke hopes to get back on the winner’s podium but the Phuket, Thailand-based Aussie, 36, has opted to downplay her chances although she vowed to make the most of the opportunity.