CAPAS, Tarlac — Filipino-American runner Yacine Guermali made the most of his one and only event early Wednesday morning, ruling the men’s 5000-meter race handily to kick off the ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium here.

With barely three days to prepare after arriving in Manila last from the United States last Sunday, Guermali, took the early lead and never looked back in running away with the gold in a time of 14 minutes and 15.34 seconds to top the event for the third time in a row.

National teammate Sonny Wagdos was a distant second (14:45.59) while Alfrence Braza (14:58.06) of Spectrum Runners took third in the meet organized by Philippine Athletics and also supported by CEL Logistics and United Asia Automotive Group.

Former Southeast Asian Games long jump gold medalist Janry Ubas jumped a season best 7.61 meters on his first try to retain his title for the seventh consecutive time while heir apparent and national teammate Francis Kent Jardin took the silver on his last attempt at 7.41 to finish 1-2 in the event of the competition likewise backed by the BCDA and New Clark City.