EDUARDO JOSH BUENAVISTA looked prime to follow his champion father’s footsteps as the long distance runner from University of the Philippines (UP) broke a long-standing men’s 10,000 meters record in University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) athletics action Thursday at the PhilSports oval.
Buenavista clocked 32 minutes and 38.88 seconds to break the old record of 32:38.88 set by Far Eastern University’s (FEU) Nelbert Ducusin in Season 68.
UP’s track team made Buenavista’s triumph sweeter as Eduard Flores and Roy Laudit completed the podium.
Buenavista’s dad Eduardo owns four gold medals in Southeast Asian Games long distance running, including the 10,000 meters in the Hanoi 2003 edition.
Buenavista’s victory anchored UP’s bid to retain the seniors athletics overall title with 140 points with seven-time champion FEU a far second with 117 points.
Rhyan Labita also rose to the occasion by completing a golden double after she won the 200 meters in 22.20 seconds.
UP didn’t have an entry in decathlon, allowing FEU to finish 1-2 behind Allen Mationg and John Cresencia. Mationg won gold with 5,797 points while Cresencia clinched silver with 5,383 points.
Tamaraw John Rafols also took down UP’s Clint Neri in long jump with 7.32 meters, 12 centimeters better than the Fighting Maroon.
Aaron Arandia of National University helped the Bulldogs to a possible podium finish with 94 points when he ruled the 10,000m walk in 50:19.20.
UP’s Abigail Manzano also won gold with a solid 18:54.90 clocking in the 5000m.