ACCIDENTAL WINNER?

Joel Alcorin sprinting his way to the finish line of the PLDT Smart 10 Miler

Joel Alcorin, the 31-year-old runner from Bacolod City, said he didn’t expect to win the PLDT Smart 10 Miler last Sunday.

            But when the opportunity presented itself in the last 200 meters or so of the race, he went for it to upset Adonis Singson.

            “When stepped on the track, I saw him almost approaching the turn. But I realized I have done a lot of speed work and went for it,” Alcorin told this writer in Hiligaynon after the race.

            Alcorin was just behind the pacesetting Singson. As the two runners made the last turn at Fuente Circle, he was just a few meters behind. Singson wisely increased his pace and reached the entrance of Cebu City Sports Complex first.

            Alcorin insists he didn’t expect to win.

            When told that Singson was 2010 Milo Cebu elimination winner in the 21k category, that Philip Duenas is one of the formidable runners in Cebu, that Mendel Lopez used to belong to PH Training Pool, he could only manage a grin.

            What makes Alcorin’s win special is that he never really had any formal training.

            Grace Ruperto, Smart’s Trade Marketing Operations in Visayas and Mindanao, said Alcorin’s foster parents are missionaries and they encouraged him to go into sports.

            So Alcorin got into sports – all sorts – like running, javelin, discuss, etc. But running was his favorite.

            Ruperto, who brought Alcorin and two other runners from Bacolod City, added that Alcorin would train but never had any chance to compete because there’s not a many races in Bacolod City.

            Coach Precing Capangpangan observed that Alcorin has the potential and could be more competitive if he could go into proper training.

            Alcorin maintains he didn’t expect to win. To this writer though, he wasn’t just an accidental winner.

            PLDT Smart 10 Miler Top Finishers

            

            16k (Men)

            Joel Alcorin, 56:06.42

            Adonis Singson, 56:17.59

            Philip Duenas, 59:12.79

            Mendel Lopez, 1:19.15

            Noel Tillor, 1:28.88

            Alvirg Busa, 1:01:23.57

            Dandy Maturan, 1:02:10.23

            Prince Joey Lee, 1:02:48.36

            Leyhan Rotilles, 1:08:47.99

            Chris Burdette, 1:08:52.67

            16k (Women)

            Mary Grace Delos Santos, 1:08:50.07

            Madelyn Carter, 1:11:49.11

            Lhoriz Echavez, 1:19:28.88

            Milette Chiongbian, 1:20:36.57

            Sharon Vega, 1:20:59.67

            Emeralde Hermosilla, 1:25:11.57

            Ma. Milagros Tanudtanud, 1:25:13.23

            Tessie Escasinas, 1:27:03.36

            Mary Ann Benedicto, 1:28:07.99

            Carmel Angel Suico, 1:38:02.67

            10k (Men)

            Jobert Carolino, 34:57.13

            Ian Bernido, 34:57.16

            Jess Gonzaga, 35:39.88

            Reprinel Banzon, 37:25.57

            Roland Felicio, 38:09.67

            Franie Cahumay, 38:11.57

            Harold Estrada, 39:04.23

            Leo Abello, 40:04.36

            Michel Largo, 40:49.99

            Ramil Adlawan, 42:16.67

            10k (Women)

            Mary Joy Tabal, 42:58.13

            Christy Tutor, 43:48.11

            Joeyry Lee, 45:09.88

            Emily Rosas, 47:37.57

            Merlita Dunkin, 48:59.07

            Mary Ann Canape, 55:23.57

            Bea Villo, 58:07.23

            Helen Dionson, 1:02:11.36

            Jennifer Cenzon, 1:04:23.99

            Cecilia Asegurado, 1:05:13.67

            5k (Men)

            Joel Delposo, 18:52.13

            Jorry Ycong, 19:08.11

            Russell Camilo, 20:37.88

            Jaime Antiporda, 22:50.67

            5k (Women)

            Aiza Suaybaguio, 22:29.57

            Lorna Olarita, 25:25.23

            Rose Marie Adlawan, 26:08.36

            Lynle Cardenas, 26:47.99

            Rejeeli Sumaya, 27:09.67

BAD DAY FOR PH SPORTS

Some member of Smart Gilas Basketball Team pose with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas in this file photo taken by Abac Cordero of the Philippine Star.

Just when I felt so good because of clear skies Sunday morning, I wasn’t that happy. Smart Gilas lost an Egyptian team in the finals of a basketball tournament in Dubai and then GM Wesley So settled for a tie of fourth and seventh places in Tata Steel Chess 2011 at Week Aan Zee, the Netherlands.

            Not even shaking the hands of Pato Gregorio, the sports marketing honcho of Smart Gilas, before the opening ceremony of the PLDT Smart 10 Miler at the Cebu City Sports complex early Sunday morning could appease me. I was disheartened.

Smart Gilas, for instance, was poised to nail its first international crown but Al Ethihad Alexandria of Egypt beat them 84-75 for the crown of the 22^nd Dubai Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Smart Gilas bucked the loss of its import Marcus Douthit who was ejected in the first half after an altercation with Dareen Kelly of the Egyptian team.

Smart Gilas squandered a 44-33 halftime lead to succumb to the taller Egyptians in the second half. It’s back to the drawing board for Smart Gilas.

The latest news is that Coach Rajko Toroman wants PBA players to reinforce his squad. He wants these players to commit to a longer stint with the team so they could practice and play together for a longer period.

Next for Smart Gilas is a stint in the PBA as a regular team and then the Jones Cup in Taiwan before embarking playing in the FIBA-Asia Championship in Wuhan, China in September. The winner of this tournament gets a ticket to the London Olympics in 2012. The last time a Philippine basketball team played in the Olympics was in 1972.

Filipino super GM Wesley So.

After a string of four straight victories, many of his fans thought GM Wesley So could win the title this time. After a loss to GM Li Chao of China in the 9^th round, So could only extract a point in the last three rounds.

So went for the kill against Dutch GM Friso Nijboer in the next round but could only extract an 80-move draw. The youngster’s game against English GM Luke McShane in the penultimate round was a disaster. He blundered in the endgame and resigned in forty moves. He drew his last game against Polish GM Radek Wojtaszek (the topseed) to tally 7.5 points good for joint fourth to seventh places.

GMs Luke McShane and David Navara were joints winners with 8.5 points and will get the invitation to play in Group A next year.

So will play next in the Aeroflot Open in Moscow, Russia beginning Feb. 9.

I woke up at around 4:30 am today (January 29, 2011) to find the road dry! By golly, I haven’t seen a dry road for a few days because of the rain. I quickly changed into my running gear for a good 10k run.

            The rains have affected my training lately. But in those days when it was impossible to run outside, I worked myself to death doing my strengthening exercises! They are harder than running. Thanks to Coach Pio Solon.

            The issue of rain brings my mind to the upcoming PLDT-Smart 10 Miler that I’m helping to direct.

What if it rains on Sunday? The race will continue, rain or shine, that’s for sure. But are the runners ready?

            So what should runners do if it rains on Sunday morning?

            I have read a few suggestions here and there and formulated the following list.

            1. DRESS IN LAYER. The inner shirt or singlet should be dri-fit; the outer water resistant. Don’t wear waterproof shirts because the fabric will trap moister and heat. Please don’t overdress. You will feel the weight of the extra shirt once you get wet.

            2. WEAR A HAT. I have always preferred visors but when it rains, a hat is better.

            3. BE VISIBLE. As much as possible, wear singlets with reflectors because visibility in the rain is poor. Be wary of traffic too.

            4. USE LUBRICATION. Use lubrication (my favorite is Body Glide) in areas where you would usually chafe. Put a lot on your toes as well. When your shoes are soaked you need lubrication to prevent blisters.

            5. WEAR OLD SHOES AT THE START. Wear old shoes while lining up for the race. You must bring your other running shoes along and change shoes after gun start. This will ensure you have dry shoes to start the race.

            6. WEAR THIN SOCKS. Thin socks will not get easily soaked while thick socks will be soggy when wet.

            7. WEAR TRASH BAGS. This is weird but you could cut holes in trash bags so they could be your poncho if it rains while you’re lining up to start the race. Please dispose of your trash bags properly when the race starts.

            8. REMEMBER TO DRINK. Keep hydrated during the race. Despite the cool weather, you still need to drink.

            9. SEEK COVER IF LIGTHNING STRIKES. I don’t know if you could really do this, but please remember to take cover if lightning strikes.

            10. ADJUST EXPECTATION. Simply put, not the day to set your PR.

            11. AFTER THE RUN, TAKE THE INSOLES OF YOUR SHOES. Take the insoles of your shoes after running in the rain and wrap them with paper. They dry up much faster this way.

            12. THINK HARDCORE. It’s good for the psyche to finish a race in challenging conditions. Only a true runner will answer the gun – rain or shine. If you don’t have the courage to run in the rain, forgive my saying but I think you ain't a hardcore yet!

           

           

A 1:11 HALF-MARATHON!

Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopa shown in this file photo as he competes in the 2008 Berlin Marahon where he established the world record of 2:03.59 in the marathon. Photo courtesy of Berlin Marathon.

I just want to comment on this topic. The 2^nd Cebu City Marathon is now history but then this subject had surfaced in some coffee shop discussions lately.

I’d like to start and say that I discovered this major, major time miscue on the notebook of a reporter when I was looking at the results of the Cebu City Marathon.

            I just got back from my post at the City Hall and decided to proceed to the start/finish line, as I know there were will be runners trying to finish the race. As one of those who finished last in the inaugural marathon in 2009, I sure know how it feels.

            Back to the notebook.

            When I saw the time of 1:11.20 for Mary Grace Delos Santos, I immediately called the attention of the reporter. I told her that there must be something wrong with her notes because I just spoke to Mary Grace and she told me her injury slowed her down but was good enough to win the half marathon. Then I asked about her time and she said 1:31. (her official time is 1:31.07 for the half-marathon in the 2^nd Cebu City Marathon).

            The reporter reasoned out that it was the time given by the officials of the race. It was then that Raffy Uytiepo, who was with me, joined the conversation and commented that the time of 1:11 was just too fast!

            As it turned out, only this reporter’s paper published the correct time the next day as she sorted, with timing group, the correct time. The other two papers published 1:11.20 as the time of Mary Grace in the half-marathon.

            I have nothing against Mary Grace but if it was true that she ran the half-marathon this fast then she just established a Philippine record in that distance! Furthermore, she was just a minute away from matching Elmer Bartolo’s record of 1:10.20 established in 2008 during the 1^st Sinulog Half Marathon organized by the Cebu Executive Runners’ Club. (This race was the only PATAFA sanctioned 21k race and this record stands until it is broken in a PATAFA sanctioned race. Liezl Geteruelas won the women’s side of that race in 1:28.)

            Editors of the two papers (that published the super time of 1:11.20) or I would suppose even the editor of the paper that published the correct time were unaware of the record times in both the half-marathon and full marathons in both the men’s and women’s categories in local, national and international races.

I think they just overlooked that fact that the “injured” Delos Santos ran faster Ian Bernido, the men’s champion, whose time was 1:13.57 and four other runners (Willy Rotich 1:14.11, Adonis Singson 1:14.17, Mendel Lopez 1:14.33, and Joebert Carolino 1:15.20).

            As reference, and for the record, the following are records or fastest times in the 5k, 10k, 21k and 42k.

           

RP MEN

            5k – Eduardo Buenavista, 13:58.43.

            10k – Eduardo Buenavista, 29:02.3.

            21k – Eduardo Buenavista, 1:02.58.

            42k – Eduardo Buenavista, 2:18.44.

           

RP WOMEN

5k – Not available at this time, will publish later.

10k – Not available, will publish later.

21k – Leizl Geteruelas, 1:28.00.

Fastest times last year but unofficial

21k – JoAnn Banaag, 1:20.57.

          Mary Grace Delos Santos, 1:21.15.

42k – Not available, will publish later.

ASIA MEN

5k – Saif Saeed Shaheen (QAT), 12:51.98.

10k – Ahmad Hassan Abdullah (QAT), 26:38.76.

21k – Atsushi Sato (JAP), 1:00:25.

42k – Toshimori Takaoke (JAP), 2:06:16.

ASIA WOMEN

5k – Bo Jiang (CHI), 14:28.09.

10k – Junxia Wang (CHI), 29:31.78.

21k – Kayoko Fukushi (JAP), 1:07:26.

42k – Mizaki Noguchi (JAP), 2:19:12.

WORLD MEN

5k – Kenenisa Bekele (ETH), 12:37.35.

10k – Kenenisa Bekele (ETH), 26:17.53.

21k – Zersenay Tadese (ERI), 58:23.

42k – Haile Gebrselassie (ETH), 2:03;59.

WORLD WOMEN

5k – Tirunseh Dibaba (ETH), 14:11.15.

10k –  Junxia Wang (CHI), 29:31.78.

21k –  Lornah Kiplagat (NED), 1:06:25.

42k –  Paula Radcliffe (UK), 2:15:25.

WE HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR...

Rafa Nadal covers his face after losing to David Ferrer 4-6, 2-6, 3-6 in the quarterfinals of this year's Australian Open. Photo courtesy of AP.

That’s all I could say after Rafa Nadal fell to fellow Spaniard and friend David Ferrer 4-6, 2-6, 3-6 in their quarterfinals match in the Australian Open.
The setback slammed the door for “Rafa Slam” that, we fans of Rafa, were expecting. Before this debacle, Rafa was playing brilliant tennis.
Rafa won the last seven matches against Ferrer but this time the latter was just too good for Rafa.
Ferrer played a perfect game. Even Nadal gives it to his friend, “…I really couldn't do more than what I did. He played at a very high level, and I wasn't able to compete against him tonight."
Nadal was visibly affected by his left thigh, which limited his lateral movement inside the court. But he refused to blame his loss to his injury. Later, he revealed in an interview that he had a muscle tear on that left thigh.
Nadal and his fans have to wait another year for his grand slam – holding four titles (Australian, Italian, Wimbledon and US Open crowns) – in a year. The last player to accomplish such feat was Australian legend Rod Laver in 1969.
Now all eyes will be on Roger Federer who will play Novak Djokovic in a semifinals match today. Federer leads their head-to-head match-up 13-6 but Djokovic beat Federer in 2008 en route to the title. If Federer gets past Djokovic, I’m putting my money on him to win his 17th grand slam title.
Meanwhile, Jeson Patrombon, one of our better junior tennisters, reached the Boys’ Singles quarterfinals after downing Australia’s Andrew Whittington 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 in the third round. He faces fourth seed George Morgan of the UK.

SO WINS FOUR STRAIGHT; GRABS LEAD IN TATA CHESS

Filipino super grandmaster Wesley So continued his winning streak in Tata Steel Chess (formerly Corus Chess) by upending Dutch GM Wouter Spoelman in Round 8 for his fourth straight victory to grab the lead in Group B at Wik Aan Zee, the Netherlands.
The Filipino prodigy, playing black in the Nimzo-Indian game, seized the initiative in move twenty-two forcing Spoelman to exchange his rook for a bishop to ease pressure on the d5 square.
So maneuvered his queen deep into Spoelman’s first rank, forcing an exchange of queens in the twenty-sixth turn to simplify the position and create a passed pawn.
Spoelman tried to use his bishops to block the d pawn from the queering square but So positioned his rook to create another passed pawn in the c file forcing the Dutchman to resign in 34 moves.
So is now on top of Group B with six points, half a point ahead of erstwhile leader GM Luke McShane of England. The group has an average ELO rating of 2659 or Category 17.
The Filipino champion agonized in the first four rounds as he settled for four straight draws before putting together this winning streak.
In the seventh round, So (ELO 2673) won against second seed GM David Navara (ELO 2708) of the Czech Republic. One round earlier, the Filipino champion defeated French GM Laurent Fressinet (ELO 2707), the third seed in the group.
The Filipino’s sting of victories started in Round 5 with a fine win over Indian GM Surya Ganguly.
The players take their second break today. When play resumes on January 25, So will play white against Chinese GM Li Chao in the ninth round as he tries to improve his fourth place finish in the same tournament last year.
In Round 10, So will play GM Vlad Takchiev of France, takes on GM Friso Nijboer of the Neherlands in Round 11, faces GM Luke McShane of England in Round 12, then duels top seed GM Radek Wojtaszek of Poland in the last round. (UPDATE: Wesley So lost to Li Chao in their Round 9 match but still remained on top of Group B standings after GM McShane settled for draw against GM Ludwig Hammer. So tries to get back on track as he takes on GM Nijboer of the Netherlands on Friday, Jan. 28, 2011.)

PLDT - SMART 10 MILER IS ATTRACTING RUNNERS

The PLDT-Smart 10 Miler is attracting so many runners that only after a week of registration the number of participants have ballooned to almost 1,500 runners!
This 10-miler is a good recovery run for those who joined the Cebu City Marathon and a “final” long run for those joining the Condura Skyway Marathon slated February 6.
The distance is almost perfect – not so short or long – and it’s challenging. Upon making a u-turn at P. Del Rosario Street after existing Cebu City Sports Complex oval, the road to Capitol is slight uphill. There’s another climb after turning right on Escario Street on the way to JY Square. For those who will run the 16k, the route passing through Mabolo, turning at Radisson Blue Hotel, all the way back to JY is elevated. The last climb will be at Escario Street, that right turn leading to the Capitol. From there, it will be slightly downhill up to the finish line inside the Cebu City Sports Complex.

All finishers in the 16k category will get a finisher’s t-shirt.
Runners will also get snacks and drinks after the race and many other goodies from PLDT and Smart.
Photo enthusiasts will also have their share of fun. There’s a photo contest open to all pro and amateur photographers with the winner stashing away P3,000, trophy and Smart Bro pre-paid Plug IT. The second and third placers get P2,000 and P1,000 respectively plus trophy and Smart products.
Registration forms are available at all registration centers for the run.
So if you haven’t registered yet, better run to the nearest registration center near you and sign up. Registration centers are at RUNNR in Ayala, Smart Experience Center in SM, Casa Ilongga and Cebu City Sports Complex. Deadline for registration is January 27. Race packets will be available from January 26-29 at the Cebu City Sports Complex.
Part of the proceeds of this run will go to the youth educational program supported by PLDT-Smart.