Maynard Pecson bounced back remarkably from a dismal showing in the national age group duathlon championships two weeks back by landing on top of the heap in the duathlon event of Singapore T100 Triathlon.
Franklin Yee, Pecson’s erstwhile tormentor, trailed in 2nd overall with Robin Banados of Go For Gold completing the podium finish.
Top Filipina duathlete Merry Joy Trupa was dominant from start to finish among the females as she claimed 1st place overall and the gold medal in the female 20-24 age category.
Pia in Action (PIA) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) sponsored the Team Philippines.
Pecson stowed the gold in the 25-29 bracket with Yee adding another gold in 20-24 category.
Pecson covered the 6K run/32k bike/3K grind in 1 hour 26 minutes and 28 seconds (splits: 21:26/ 51:45/11:53).
Yee checked in at 1:29:09 and Cebuano Banados (, also backed by Go-for-Gold program of Jeremy Go, 1:34:53).
Trupa clocked one hour 35 minutes and 56 seconds in outstripping all but 10 of the close to 600 hopefuls.
FRANKLIN Yee and Mary Joy Trupa defended their respective titles in the elite sprint category of the National Age Group Duathlon held at Villar City in Las Piñas City yesterday.
The 23-year-old Yee, a native of Bogo City, Cebu dominated the race (5km run-20km bike-2.5km run) in 56:20, improving the 57:13 he registered last year.
John Patrick Ciron of Iriga City, Camarines Sur finished second in 56.43, also an improvement as he clocked 57:26 to secure the bronze medal last year. Maynard Pecson of Baguio City ranked third with a time of 58:56.
“I’m happy to win again,” said Yee, a 4th year business management student at the University of San Carlos.
Pecson, the second-best Filipino finisher at the Ironman 70.3 in Davao two weeks ago, did not expect to medal.
“There are many strong competitors, especially the young ones,” said the 27-year-old Pecson, a graduating tourism management student from St. Louis University.
National Age Group Duathlon Elite Sprint Category champions Mary Joy Trupa and Franklin Yee pose in front of photographers. (photo credit – Triathlon Philippines)
In the women’s division, 23-year-old Trupa bagged the gold medal in 1:06:51.
Lady Samantha Jhunace Corpuz (1:10:12) and Dhana Victoria Seda-Lomboy (1:11:57) placed second and third, respectively.
“I’m glad that I won, the goal is to keep on improving,” said Trupa, who graduated from the Tarlac Agricultural University in Camiling with a agri-business degree last January.
“I can now focus on my training and competitions,” said Trupa, who together with Yee and Pecson, will join the T100 Singapore event on April 25-26.
Meanwhile, Hermogenes Branzuela (57:46) ranked first in the men’s junior elite division of the tournament supported by Villar City, Gatorade, Milo, C-Vitt and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Eric Hechanova (1:01:35) was second followed by Anxader Gomez (1:03:06).
Anisha Eunice Caluya (1:09:54), Candace Marie Socito (1:15:58) and Scottie Lee Awitan (1:20:20) were the podium finishers in the women’s junior elite division of the tournament, which is part of Triathlon Philippines’ grassroots and talent identification program.
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Welcome back, multisports athletes and sports enthusiasts! The highlights of the 2025 National Age Group Aquathlon and 2025 National Age Group Duathlon held this past weekend at the Vermosa Sports Hub are revealed below.
Official image of the two events hosted by Vermosa Sports Hub. (photo source – TriPhil)
Alaina Bouffaut displayed her best form to dominate the girls Under-15 category in the National Age Group Aquathlon and Duathlon at the Ayala-Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.
The 12-year-old Filipino-French finished the 400m swim-2.5km run aquathlon competition in 18 minutes and 17 seconds to beat Christy Ann Perez (18:35) and Naomi Rozeboom (18:45) last Saturday.
On Sunday, she claimed victory in duathlon (3km run-10km bike-1.5km run) with a time of 41:48, prevailing over Kaia Christiana Gica (42:32) and Naomi Rozeboom (42:44).
“I feel good,” said Bouffaut, whose mother is from Cagayan Valley.
“It’s nice to win, this is my first time competing in the U15 category,” added the Grade 7 student who dominated the 11-12 category for two years.
Bouffaut’s schoolmate, Johan Joey Marcelo won the gold medal in duathlon with a time of 35:30.
“I felt that I’m going to get a podium, but not the gold,” said the 14-year-old Marcelo, a member of Sante Barley Nextstep Tri Team.
“I was not feeling well since Wednesday, I just took a rest. I’m happy that I won,” added Marcelo, who bagged a silver medal in the Ironkids Subic and a bronze in Ironkids Duathlon in Davao last year.
Meanwhile, Ruan Azriel Santos and Jan Christel Culanag also pocketed two gold medals in the 6 and under category of the tournament which is part of Triathlon Philippines’ grassroots and talent identification program.
Santos (4:31) beat Ivo Gadiel Kanlas (4:49) in aquathlon (50m swim-200m run). He clocked 14:01 in duathlon (400m run-1km bike-200m run).
Culanag (4:49) beat Rafaela Tifany Marie Culala (12:12) in aquathlon and clocked 14:01 to win the gold medal in duathlon over Lucia Ysabel Sarmenta (20:02) in the girls division.
Other Super Tri Kids duathlon winners were Thomas Miguel Edangal and Naomi Dimayuga in the 11-12 category (2km-8km-1km); Enrique Jose Dela Rosa and Pia Gienne Meiko Gito in the 9-10 category (1km-6km-500m); and Zavier Caeden Prequenza and Stacey Ailia Aisha Escala in the 7-8 category (800m-2km-400m).
Other champions in aquathlon were Pele Matteo Latonio and Elise Salas in the 11-12 category (300m-1.5km); Jairus Achilles Bongotan and Athena Masadao in the 9-10 category (200m-1km); and Eli Julian Dela Cruz and Stacey Ailia Aisha Escala in the 7-8 category (100m-500m).
In the sprint elite category in duathlon (5km-20km-2.5km), Franklin Yee and Merry Joy Trupa ruled their respective divisions.
Yee won the gold medal in 57:13 over Irienold Reig Jr. (57:16) and Patrick Ciron (57:26) in the men’s division.
Trupa clocked 1:05:41 to beat Katrina Salazar (1:05:56) and Rachel Sarah Wei Ying (1:06:57) in the women’s division.
The National Age Group Aquathlon and Duathlon tournaments were supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Milo, Asian Centre for Insulation, Gatorade, Fitbar and RaceYa.
Note: The above contest was sourced from the official press release of Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) covering the highlights of the 2-day National Age Group Aquathlon and National Age Group Duathlon hosted by Vermosa Sports Hub on March 1 and 2, 2025. Some parts were edited for this website.
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Welcome back, multisports athletes and sports enthusiasts! John Alexander Ramos and Erika Nicole Burgos won their respective Elite titles during the 2025 National Age Group Aquathlon event yesterday at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite, according to a sports news article published by the Philippine New Agency (PNA).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA sports news article. Some parts in boldface…
Joshua Alexander Ramos delivered a fine performance to claim victory in the Standard Men Elite of the National Age Group Aquathlon 2025 at the Ayala-Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite on Saturday.
The 23-year-old member of the Baguio Benguet Triathlon club clocked 31 minutes and 19 seconds in the 1km-swim and 5km-run competition.
“I joined this tournament to test my fitness and I’m glad I won,” said Ramos, a second-year marketing management student at the University of Baguio.
Last year, he was runner-up to Cebuano Kim Andrew Remolino in the race that only covered 500 meters (swim) and 2.5 km. (run).
Remolino and Matthew Hermosa did not join due to a Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) regional qualifying.
“Even if they are not here, I can say that I gave my best,” said Ramos, who won four medals in swimming – two golds (400m and 1500 freestyle), one silver (4x200m freestyle), and one bronze (4×100 freestyle) at the 2024 PRISAA National Games in Legazpi City, Albay.
Iñaki Emil Lorbes registered 31:28 to finish second despite nursing a right ankle injury he sustained two weeks ago in training. Irienold Reig Jr. (32:12) was third.
Meanwhile, Erika Nicole Burgos defended the women’s title, clocking 34 minutes and 17 seconds to prevail over Wan Ting of Singapore (35:01) and Lady Samantha Jhunace Corpuz (35:50).
“The course is difficult, it’s exhausting,” said Burgos of Tanauan, Batangas.
She will join the National Age Group Duathlon on Sunday.
“I’ll do my best to win (in the National),” said Burgos, who won the gold medal in the 2023 Asian Duathlon Championships at the New Clark City Sports Complex.
In the Junior Elite category, Joshua’s younger brother, Dayshaun Karl, topped the men’s division in 16:37. Darell Johnson Bada (16:40) ranked second followed by Peter Sancho Del Rosario (16:44).
Dhana Victoria Seda-Lomboy clocked 18:45 to win the women’s title over Maria Celinda Raagas (21:42).
Edison Badillo (PTS2), Raul Angoluan (PTS3), Alex Silverio (PTS4), and Joshua Nelmida with guide Bernard Matthew Cruz (PTVI) won their respective divisions in the para category of the event organized by the Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) headed by Tom Carrasco.
The 2025 National Age Group Aquathlon event in Vermosa was sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Milo, Asian Center for Insulation, Gatorade, Fitbar, and RaceYa.
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Welcome back, multisports athletes and sports enthusiasts! The Vermosa Sports Hub will be hosting the National Age Group Aquathlon and the National Age Group Duathlon events this weekend in Cavite. Specifically, the aquathlon is on March 1 while the duathlon is on March 2. There will also be several significant athletes participating in the said events.
For specific details about the aquathlon event, click here. Regarding the duathlon, click here. These events of Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) are supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Milo, Standard Insurance, LeGarde, Gatorade, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Inc., Fitbar and RaceYa. Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub is the venue partner.
Recently, the news article of the National Age Group Aquathlon and National Age Group Duathlon was published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) with an emphasis on who will be competing this weekend. Posted below is the excerpt of the news release but be aware the word “championships” is inaccurate. Some parts in boldface.
All is set for the National Age Group Aquathlon and Duathlon Championships this weekend at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite.
The aquathlon event is set on March 1 and the duathlon the next day.
Merry Joy Trupa and Marion Kim Mangrobang lead the title contenders in a duathlon in the tournament organized by the Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) headed by Tom Carrasco.
Trupa won the silver medal while Mangrobang settled for the bronze medal at the 2025 Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championships in Manama, Bahrain last Sunday.
Trupa finished the 5km run-30km bike-5km run in 1:29:16, behind Chinese Ziqing Lu (1:28:24). Mangrobang champion, clocked 1:33:14.
Mangrobang is a three-time champion in triathlon and back-to-back gold medalist in duathlon at the SEA Games.
She leads the women’s Elite, Under 23 and Junior squad which include Raven Faith Alcoseba, Kira Ellis, Erika Nicole Burgos, Lady Samantha Jhunace Corpuz and Katrina Salazar.
The men’s Elite and Under 23 team is composed of Filipino-Spanish Fernando Casares, Andrew Kim Remolino, Matthew Justine Hermosa, Joshua Alexander Ramos, Iñaki Emil Lorbes, Juan Miguel Tayag and Juan Francisco Baniqued, while the Junior Elite roster has Dayshaun Karl Ramos, Darell Johnson Bada, Euan Arrow Ramos and Peter Sancho del Rosario.
SEA Games double-gold medalist John Leerams Chicano banners the men’s duathlon team. Joining him are Maynard Pecson, John Patrick Ciron, Irienold Reig Jr. and Franklin Yee.
With Trupa in the women’s team are Jena Valdez and Bea Marie Quiambao.
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Author Carlo Carrasco 