Last Updated on October 22, 2022 by Andrew Pirie
The Rise of the University of Baguio as a Collegiate Power in Philippine Athletics
PinoyAthletics was delighted to observe the recent impressive performances of the University of Baguio. During the last 2 weeks during the PATAFA Weekly Relays on the 18th and 25th of September.
We are particularly pleased to see The University of Baguio likewise with VMUF another non-UAAP school promoting regionalization away from a centralized system. We also hope that in the future Baguio will start hosting its own events in order to reach out to more athletes in Baguio.
Noteworthy Performances
In the first week, Hussein Lorana the son of former PATAFA masseur Abdul Islam topped the junior boy’s division with a new PB of 50.77, over 3 seconds clear of his nearest rivals. Lorana is the secondary boys national 400 and 800m Champion.
The results kept flooding in with Denver Tacay the national school champion. Hurling the 1.5kg Discus to a big PB of 49.69m to dominate the boy’s Youth Division. Still in Grade 10 and only 15 years old Tacay is perhaps the season’s find in the junior throwing events.
Irish Mandiani had a surprise win over National Coached Abcede Agamanos (Team isKOLAR Atletiks) (who is coached by Joebert ‘Grover’ Delicano). Mandiani launched a big PB of 5.54m while Agamanos did 5.43m. Leading the weekly relays in Long Jump is Dianne Taranza 5.86m in the first week (FEU, who was coached in High school by none other than Henry Dagmil. Mandiani who Khay Santos coaches sit in the 2nd overall qualifying position for finals.
If that’s not convincing enough!
What about 2021 National 200m Champion Dexter Manaois Bilches? who clocked 22.70 PB (video time, hand times looking doubtful in official results), around the same time as UAAP 400m Record Holder Joyme Sequita 22.70 national team member. Other 4×4 athletes Labita 22.77, Mico Del Prado 22.88, Frederick Ramirez 22.96, and Decathlete Janry Ubas 23.23. FEU rookie Sergio Tabornal won heat 1 in 22.93 PB. Returning was former national athlete Jomar Udtohan who won heat 7 in 23.03. All the top 10 times were faster than the 23.35 of Tabornal in week 1.
Pablo Petogo originally from Palawan joined the University of Baguio team and won the Junior 110 Hurdles in 16.97. At the same time, Joshua Abad made it a 1-2 sweep in that event.
Top Notch Coaching Lineup
The University of Baguio is shaping up as the top all-round team in the PRISAA athletic league to which it belongs. It has three coaches covering events comprehensively who are all former national athletes. Head Coach Hernanie Sore, a former Steeple Chaser on the national team, coaches the middle and long-distance track events. While June Villa helps Sore with the sprints.
Meanwhile, current national coach and 4X SEA Games Gold Medalist in Hammer Throw Arniel Ferrera handles the throws program. And the newest addition to the team is Katherine Khay Santos a former SEA Games Bronze medalist in Long Jump who handles the jumping events. Former long-time University of Baguio head coach Ed Laureno serves as a coaching consultant.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
Andrew was elected Vice President of the Association of Track and Field Statisticians in 2020 after being a member for 7 years.
He has worked as a PSC Consultant and Research Assistant from 2013-2015, Consultant, and Sprint Coach at Zamboanga Sports Academy from 2015-2017. And Currently is Consultant Coach with VMUF 2021-
Current editor and chief of Pinoyathletics.info, and has recently done consultancy work for Ayala Corp evaluating the Track and Field Program.
Coaches Sprints, Middle and Jump events he is Level 3 Athletics Australia Coaching Certification in Sprints and Hurdles.
Currently working towards a Masters Degree in Education.
He can be contacted on [email protected]
You can find more information on Coaching here
http://www.pinoyathletics.info/coaching-2/