Lopena dominates PSC-AFP PUSO tilt

Former national sprinter Anfernee Lopena of Philippine Navy completed a golden quadruple, highlighting track and field action in the inaugural PSC-AFP Philippine Uniformed Services as One (PUSO) sportsfest at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

A veteran national team standard-bearer in international play, Lopena, a Seaman 2nd Class, swept the men’s 100-meter and 200-meter runs in times of 10.73 seconds and 22.77 seconds, respectively, in the meet jointly organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The 33rd Philippine Southeast Asian Games gold medalist likewise powered the Navy quartet that included Alex Talledo, Clinton Kingsley Bautista and Aries Toledo to victory in the men’s 4x100-meter relay in 43.22 seconds.

As an encore, the 32-year-old native of Tagbilaran, Bohol still had gas left In the tank after two back-to-back days of track action in pacing the Navy squad that also had Jordan Paul Billones, Darren Wendil Diestro and Bautista in a runaway triumph in the men’s 4x400-meter relays in 3:28.79.

A two-time SEA Games gold medalist, Bautista shared the spotlight with teammate Lopena with a hat trick of mints, adding in the 110-meter hurdles (14.96) and 400-meter hurdles events (57.21) in the expanded meet that not only has Army, Navy, Air Force and Police campaigners but also 11 other allied agencies such as the Coast Guard and NBI.

Sharing the spotlight was Army Private Joida Gagnao, who bagged gold medals in the women’s 2,000-meter steeplechase (7:55.39) and the 5,000-meter race (20:46.53).

Duplicating her feat Airwoman Diane Shyr Tarranza in the women’s century dash (12.66) and, together with Annaly Sinconiege, Janice Cardel, and Gianelli Catinga, in the 4x100-meter relay (52.66).

National athlete and Air Force Sgt. Sonny Wagdos also had a golden pair in topping the men’s 1,500-meter (4:03.48) and 5,000-meter runs (15.29.66) while Airman Mico del Prado, the son of middle-distance legend Isidro del Prado, did the same in sweeping the 400 (49.07)) and 800-meter (1:59.74) events, respectively.

Underlining the need to lead by example to their subordinates, the officers had their own races in the men’s and women’s 1,500 and 5,000-meter runs.

Fire Insp. Andes Combate broke the monopoly of the military juggernaut In ruling the men’s officers 1,500-meter race (4:44.30), narrowly beating Army Capt. Alquin Bolivar (4:45.1) to win the gold medal while Air Force 1st Lt. Ephraim Nel Ikan (4:48) took the bronze.

Navy Lt. Mary Pauline Fornea took first place on the distaff side (5:28.70), Air Force 2nd Lt. Flordeliza Donos (5:49.28) settled for silver and Army Maj. Eljing Gomez took home the bronze medal (6:01.53).