Singapore-based Monica Torres completely dominated the women’s division of the 10K run-40K bike-5K run duathlon event yesterday morning in Subic to win the third gold medal for triathlon but Joey de los Reyes had to settle for silver in the men’s side as he faded in the last 500 meters against Indonesian Johan Johari for a split performance for the host country.
The 35-year-old Torres, a many time national duathlon and long distance triathlon champion bucked a bum stomach just prior to the race but it did not show any effect on her gold performance, her very first in the SEA Games. Torres led practically from the start of the race en route to a solo finish in 2:08.44, before a jubilant crowd at the finish line.
Thai entry Pareeya Sonsom settled for the silver in 2:11.18 as she was left behind by Torres in the bike leg while Vietnamese Thi Phuoung Trinh Nguyen salvaged the bronze medal clocking 2:14.20.
In the men’s side, local bet de los Reyes conceded the race in the last 500 meters as he opted to protect his second place position rather than chase after Johari who sprinted ahead when he saw de los Reyes slow down to drink water.
“Pag slow down ko sa water station, kinargahan niya. Nag maintain na nga lang ako kaysa malampasan ako nung taga Thailand,” said a disappointed de los Reyes who finished the distance in 1:53.04 to Johari’s 1:52.51, and just a second ahead of bronze medal winner Nattanut Srinate’s 1:53.05.
Triathlon Association of the Philippines president Tom Carrasco said the national team is still on pace to achieve the goals they set for the SEA Games.
“ I am still within my target of four of the six golds at stake. Three out of four already and we should be able to win the triathlon mixed relay,” said Carrasco who added that mixed duathlon set on Thursday will be up for grabs.
“Malakas mga kalaban dito sa duathlon,” he said.