Filipino-Moroccan runner Yacine Guermali bagged the first gold in the 2024 ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships with relative ease despite the hot and humid conditions at the PhilSports Track Oval in Pasig City on Wednesday morning, May 8.

The 24-year-old Guermali, a national record holder for 1500 meters and 5000 meters events, clocked in 14 minutes and 18.83 seconds in his first-ever stint here in the country and outshone 57 other participants in the men’s 5000m finals.

PH team member Sonny Wagdos (14:54.95) and Spectrum Runners’ Noli Torre (15:05) took the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

“I have a couple of races and I’m gonna make sure my ranking is high as [Olympics] required,” said Guermali.

The Gonzaga University standout, who traces roots from Nueva Vizcaya, needs to register 13:05 minutes in the said event to qualify for the nearing Paris Olympics. 

Guermali and the other athletics hopefuls have until July 7 to hit the Olympic standard.

As expected, Janry Ubas, a SEAG multi-medalist, topped the men's long jump at 7.83 meters.

Ubas is currently 40th in the world rankings and is aiming to earn a spot in the Paris Games. He must put himself within top 32 or leap 8.27m to earn a trip to the quadrennial meet.

"Gagawin ko po ang lahat para makaqualify for Paris, sana palarin po tayo sa mga susunod ko na laban," Ubas stressed.

The pride of Misamis Oriental recently had a successful Hong Kong trip where he bagged the bronze to complete the five-medal finish for the Nationals.

In women’s shot put under-18, University of the East ace Heart Duarte heaved 11.68 meters for the top spot, while Ateneo’s Yden Faith Candelario (11.36m) and Masbate’s Courtney Trangia (10.93m) settled for second and third places, respectively.

Adamson University's Elizabeth Sicat reigned supreme in women's javelin under-20, while Daniella Daynata tallied 43.10 meters to conquer the women's discus throw event.