By Fibby Ann Mercado

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tracksters and Lady Tracksters ended the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 athletics tournament with a silver and gold finish, respectively, last November 7 to 9 at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

After securing the championship title last Season 87, the FEU women’s athletics team successfully defended their crown with 373.5 points, dominating the UAAP track and field scene once again.

Throughout the tournament, the green-and-gold Lady Tracksters brought home eight gold medals in the 800-meter, 1,500-meter, 5,000-meter, 10,000-meter races; 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles; javelin throw; and long jump competitions.

On top of that, the team secured five silver finishes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, 4x400-meter relay, discus throw, 100-meter race, and 400-meter hurdles. They also tallied eight bronze medals in the 4x100-meter relay, 100-meter, 200-meter, 1,500-meter, 3,000-meter steeplechase, and 5,000-meter races; shot put; and heptathlon competitions.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Lady Tracksters team captain and long jump gold medalist Rica Balderama acknowledged the achievement their hard work brought.

“All the hard work, sacrifices, and dedication we put in as a team truly paid off. It’s such a fulfilling moment knowing that everything we went through from early morning training to tough competitions led us to this victory. Our achievements show how much the team has grown and how everyone’s effort truly contributed to our success,” she said. 

Reflecting on their win, 3,000-meter steeplechase and 1,500-meter and 5,000-meter triple-bronze awardee Nicole Diloy expressed how the team motivated her to help achieve the gold.

“It honestly feels amazing to have contributed to defending the championship. What truly motivated me was the team itself, the bond we built, our coaches who constantly pushed us to do better, and the thought of representing FEU with pride,” Diloy stated. 

Fueled by record-breaking performances and consistent podium finishes, the Tamaraws clinched back-to-back championships.

After narrowly breaking the 23-year record of national track legend Mercedita Manipol, whose time was 17:59.22, Edna Magtubo claimed gold in the 5,000-meter race with a time of 17:59.13. She was later named Most Valuable Player after also securing gold in the 10,000-meter run and silver in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Along with that, Rookie of the Year Jecel Vivas also secured first-place finishes in the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles and both a silver and bronze in the 4×400-meter relay and 4×100-meter relay, respectively. 

Meanwhile, their male counterparts maintained their podium finish from last season with 272.25 points. 

The green-and-gold tracksters brought home five gold medals in the 5,000-meter race walk, 1,500-meter race, high jump, 400-meter hurdles, and 4x100-meter relay.

Moreover, the team also succeeded with six silver finishes in the 200-meter, 800-meter, and 10,000-meter races; 110-meter hurdle, 10,000-meter race walk, and decathlon; and another bronze medal in decathlon.

First-time 400-meter hurdles gold medalist Jazzpeer Lanz Arcenal recalled how he was ill before the start of the season.

“I had dengue one month before the season but managed to recover in just two weeks. I got back to training again for myself and for my team. It was hard, but I needed to be healthy and get back in shape to achieve this season’s goals,” Arcenal shared.

FEU Tracksters team captain and decathlon silver medalist Ronel Juntilla also expressed how the team remained grateful despite falling short of the championship title.

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we gave everything we had until the very end. Even though we fell short of the championship, finishing as first runner-up means so much to us because we gave our all and made our team proud,” Juntilla said.

Despite the challenges, the Tamaraws still displayed an outstanding performance by setting records in the UAAP.

Leading the charge was Carlos De Imus, who set the pace with a 21:17.04 finish to clinch gold in the 5,000-meter race walk, breaking UE’s Vianmar Dela Cruz’s season 85 record of 22:42.21. He also added a silver medal in the 10,000-meter race walk. 

Tracksters Andreas Womack, Joseph Antiola III, Pacifico Tolentino IV, and Joshua Bereason—who won the team's 4x100-relay gold—also set a new UAAP record.

The National University Bulldogs claimed the overall championship in the men’s athletics tourney, while the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons finished third. In the women’s division, University of Santo Thomas secured second place, while De La Salle University closely followed at third.

In total, FEU secured 13 gold medals, 11 silver, and 9 bronze finishes across various track and field events this season. 

(Photos courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)