PSC POC Media Group

MAGTUBO OUTCLASS TWO KENYAN RIVALS IN SANTE BARLEY MANILA LEG

Kenya’s Gilbert Muge and Filipino standout Edna Magtubo emerged as the top performers in the opening leg of the Sante Barley Trilogy Run Asia 2026, dominating the 16-kilometer race at the Manila Leg 1 staging of the multi-distance running series on Sunday at SM Mall of Asia Grounds.

Muge showcased his endurance and speed to rule the men’s 16K division, clocking a winning time of 50:09 to headline the first leg of the event organized by Runrio in partnership with health and wellness brand Santé Barley.

Eduard Flores finished second in 50:50, while Ricky Organiza placed third in 50:57 to complete the men’s podium.

On the women’s side, Magtubo delivered a strong performance to capture the 16K crown, finishing in 58:04, ahead of Pamela Bundotich (58:56) and Jackline Musyawa Nzivo (01:01:15).
The race also featured competitive battles in the shorter distances.

In the 10K division, Jeck Labrador topped the men’s race with a time of 31:03, followed by Evans Bomer (31:35) and James Darrel Orduña (31:58), while Lucy Liavoga led the women's field in 36:11, ahead of Jessa Mae Roda (37:03) and Erika Nicole Burgos (38:20).

Meanwhile, the 5K race saw Dhem Aj Monton claim the men’s title in 15:59, with Jevie Rebutazo finishing second (16:12) and Justwin Guerrero (16:21). In the women’s category, Joida Gagnao ruled the race in 18:37, followed by Mary Jane Pagayon (00:19:03) and Nicole Kurt Anne Diloy (00:19:19).

The Manila Leg 1 served as the opening race of the Santé Barley Trilogy Run Asia series, drawing runners of varying levels who competed across 5K, 10K, and 16K distances in pursuit of strong starts to their trilogy campaign.

Supporting the event were hydration partners including Gatorade and Cristalino Spring, helping ensure runners remained fueled and refreshed throughout the race.

Vermosa Victory Games, to enforce grassroots sports development

WITH the vision of helping promote Philippine sports, the spacious and well-developed Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub will stage the inaugural Vermosa Victory Games on March 21 and 22 in Imus, Cavite.
The event’s organizers led by XMPLR Sports under its founder and CEO Robbie de Vera have lined up age-group competitions in swimming, football and cheerleading at the 8-hectare property that boasts a nine-lane track oval, aquatics center, and football field.
The two-day event scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is open to all schools and clubs with athletes as young as 5-6 years old.
“The Vermosa Sports Hub has been around for eight years and we want our facility to be more of a program event for grassroots sports. This is just the start and we can do it again,” said Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub general manager Lani Tan in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC media room.
“We have plans to expand not just by hosting events but how we can contribute to the sports landscape in the country,” added Tan, who was joined at the forum by XMPLR Sports project manager Ronyth Cada, cheerleading tournament director Javier Beren and De Vera, former head of the highly-successful Milo Sports Program.
“We want to bring Vermosa’s vision to life and that is to promote sports and a vibrant lifestyle around the estate,” said De Vera during the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
“This event aims to provide more opportunities for young athletes,” said Cada, adding that up for grabs aside from premium trophies and medals are the bragging rights of being the first winners of the Vermosa Victory Games.
Registration for what Cada described as a “dynamic grassroots tournament” is still open with a limited number of slots still available. Organizers expect as many as 1,000 participants across the three events.
For the cheerleading competition, Beren said organizers have pegged the number to five teams per category.

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