Big runs net Chicano, Burgos Sun Life 5150 titles

BOHOL—John Leerams Chicano and Erika Nicole Burgos flashed enduring strength and energy then uncorked furious runs to crown themselves the new Sun Life 5150 Triatlon champions at the Bellevue Resort beachfront on Panglao Island here on Sunday.

Chicano, a multi-gold medalist in the SEA Games, posted a best 00:35:41 time in the closing run stage and went on to dominate the men’s field and clinch the overall championship in a fast 2:00:04 clocking in the 1.5 km-swim, 40 kmbike and 10 km run race under the Olympic-style setup at one of the country’s top triathlon hubs.

Popularly known as “Rambo” in the triathlon community, Chicano came out of the waters in 00:20:33, just behind Penong’s 5150 winner Joshua Ramos’ 00:20:12, yielded to last year’s champion Satar Salem in the bike event, 00:59:4800:58:52, but beat the rest in the run to win by over four minutes in near-ideal conditions.

Salem, who placed joint third in swim, 00:21:07, timed 00:39:53 in the run and settled for runner-up honors in 2:04:44, while Ramos slowed down in the bike (01:00:09) and finished in 00:42:30 for third in 02:07:30.

Burgos, on the other hand, took control early in her side of the battle, clocking 00:21:20 against Leyann Ramo’s 00:23:40 in swim, gave up the lead in bike (01:15:09-01:11:10) but, like Chicano, put up a strong finishing kick (00:43:18) to claim the women’s overall title in 02:24:28 in the event organized by The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc.

Ramo failed to keep pace with Burgos and faded in 00:50:09 for second in 02:30:10 while Katrina Salazar clocked 02:32:09 for third place in the race sponsored by Sun Life Philippines for the adding that the defensive moves gave them opportunities to win every set.

Six-foot-seven Tine Urnaut, who

John Leerams Chicano and Erika Nicole Burgos

third time and held in conjunction with the Sandugo Festival celebrations, a project of the Province of Bohol under Gov. Aris Aumentado. Chicano (30-34) and Burgos (20-24) also topped their respective age group divisions with Salem and Ramos ruling the male 25-29 and 20-24 classes, re - helped Slovenia win the 2019 FIVB Challenger, made a team-high 14 points in 12 attacks and two aces. spectively. Ramo also claimed the women’s 30-34 trophy while Salazar reigned in the 15-19 category of the event backed by Sun Life, Go For Gold, The Bellevue Resorts, Province of Bohol, Municipality of Dauis, Municipality of Panglao, Sandugo 2023, Rudy Project, Sante, Active, Manila Bulletin and Tempo.

Teammate Klemen Cebulj scored 13 points behind eight hits for the Slovenians, who ended up in seventh place with their 8-4 win-loss card.

With the Dutch spikers staying close, 22-21, Urnaut’s placement shot to the backline, followed by Rok Mojic’s long hit from the net allowed Slovenia to move to within matchpoint in the final set of their 93-minute encounter.

Alen Pajenk’s block in the second set allowed the Slovenians to claim matchpoint, 32-30.

Earlier, Canada drew 20 points on four blocks and 16 aces from Stephen Anthony Maar in stopping China, 2325, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18.

This allowed Canada to avoid getting relegated to the Challenger Division with its 3-9 slate.

A LOT of effort has been put in assembling Team USA, which will be known for its youth and versatility. Head coach Steve Kerr said this as they get ready to see action in the coming 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Kerr said he had consulted with youth coach Sean Miller over the formation of the squad, which is made of 12 young NBA players.

“It’s really a fun experience with Sean in putting this roster together. It’s an exciting mix of young players who we think will really play well together,” said Kerr.

Miller has been advising Kerr, given his experience in serving as the head coach of the USA men’s Under-19 junior national team, which competed at the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Championship.

With Miller calling the shots, USA team ended up with a perfect 7–0 record and a gold medal.

“We put a lot of effort into putting up a versatile team on the floor. Sean in particularly has a history and background on how basketball in the world stage is played,” added Kerr.

Discussions with former head coach Greg Popovich also helped Kerr make up his mind on the final composition of Team USA.

Popovich handled Team USA at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where they finished in seventh place Paolo Banchero, this season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, was one of the many young players named in the final roster of Team USA.

With the 20-year-old Banchero are Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn), Jalen Brunson (New York), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers) the roster with Josh Hart (Knicks), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Cameron Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks) and Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers).

Five team members have Nike Hoop Summit experience, namely 2021 NBA champion Portis (2013), Brunson (2015), Ingram (2015) and Jackson Jr. (2017).

Kessler, who earned NBA AllRookie honors last season, was picked for the 2020 USA Nike Hoop Summit Team before it was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. He has participated in USA minicamps and training camps. Peter

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