Over the weekend, national team aspirant James Darrel Orduna dominated the finale of the inaugural Lazada Run at the Marina Barrage in Singapore.

The last leg of the e-commerce giant’s first-ever regional running event saw over 8,000 participants from the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia, with Orduna ruling the men’s 10-kilometer race category after clocking in a time of 31 minutes and 59 seconds.

James Darrel Orduna rules the 10-kilomter race category in the Lazada Run Singapore finale. (Bianca Simeon)

Though it came as no surprise as it was an earned opportunity when Orduna claimed the similar spirited victory in the Lazada Run Manila leg three weeks prior, making him one of the delegates from the Philippines sent by the e-commerce platform to Singapore.

The UAAP Season 81 Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Player has been seeking to earn a dream spot in the athletics national team roster, with Lazada coming through with the exact opportunity for Orduna to make a good account of himself.

Against other top runners from the neighboring Southeast Asian countries, the 23-year-old University of the East (UE) graduate was determined to boost his chances of being among athletes who represent the Philippines in the international scene.

“Yea, isa sa dream ko na mapabilang sa Athletics national team,” Orduna told Manila Bulletin.

"Nung last 1KM na talagang sumigla 'yong pakiramdam ko. Para bang nabuhay ulit ‘yong katawan ko dahil pag tingin ko sa likod ko halos nasa 300 to 400 meters 'yong iwan ko sa second placer. Ilang meters before ako mag-cross sa finish line talagang nagtatalon ako sa tuwa di lang dahil ako ang first place dahil na din natapos ko 'yong race ng walang nangyari sakin na masama," Orduna said.

With his discipline in training, Orduna was able to keep himself in the best form and poised to take the much-needed victory.

“Everyday training ko dapat nabe-beat ko ‘yong target time sa workout na ginagawa para ma-beat ko ‘yong time ko sa Lazada Run Manila leg dahil ‘yon ‘yong personal best ko sa road race. Iniisip ko kasi international competition na ito, maraming malalakas na runners ang maglalaro kaya hindi ako pwede mag petiks petiks lang sa training,” he added.

With the taste of his first international meet, Orduna felt at the time that he was already part of the national team and refused to let the Philippines leave the running event empty-handed.

“Nakaka-goosebumps ‘yong before race tatawagin ang mga representative ng bawat bansa tapos ako pa ‘yong may hawak ng flag na Philippines. Isa din ito sa memorable at nakaka-proud na experiences ko,” Orduna recalled.

In 2019, Orduna was expected to see action at the 31st SEA Games, but encountered a sudden problem that caused him to sit out the regional tournament which only made the Lazada Run win even more significant.

Just as Orduna was eyeing for a chance to showcase his talent in a regional stage, there was Lazada’s committed effort to support the fitness journey of Filipinos through opportunities like the recently concluded inaugural LazRun and other exciting deals found only in its app.

According to Orduna, the qualification to be listed in the lineup includes beating the time of the third-ranked in the previous edition of the biennial meet.

It was a weekend to remember for Orduna as he continues to attempt and see himself through the pool of the national team.

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