The big boys were on the field at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig during last Sunday’s Week 3 of the 2022 Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association’s Weekly Relay Series sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission in cooperation with World Athletics and CEL Logistics.
The Open/Elite Division comprised of those 20 years old and above attracted athletes from Far Eastern University, Adamson, University of Makati, University of the East, University of the Philippines, Santos Tomas U, Ateneo, Philippine College of Criminology, National University, Pateros Tech, and even a four-man contingent from Sabah who were on hand to strut their stuff in the day’s events.
Coach Ronald Corot of Adamson noted that they use the Weekly Relay Series as tuneup for future competitions and to see where their team could improve as other UAAP and NCAA athletes are also present to showcase their mettle.
“This is a venue where we could see if our players have improved or declined in their performance so that we, as coaches, can make the necessary adjustments in our training,” Corot said.
Tochukwu Onoura Timothy Torres Okolo who specializes in the 110-meter hurdles had this to say of the event: “It makes me realize that there are a lot of strong athletes in this meet and I need to improve more in order to reach my goal.”
PATAFA president Terry Capistrano points to grassroots development as a goal for the weekly relay series.
“We at PATAFA welcome all the participants to the Weekly Relay Series. This is our way of developing grassroot athletics and for these aspiring athletes to test their mettle against some of the best in the country,” Capistrano said.
The weekly series runs until Nov. 20 and is also being sponsored by Milo, Cignal TV, Wireless Link Technologies, Casio G-Shock, Cellife Cellular Nutrition, Masiv Sports, Dr. J Alcohol, Pencer Q, Puma and Silver Bullet Productions.