TAGUM City, Davao - For someone whose original sport is athletics, winning twin gold medals in the cycling event of the 2016 Batang Pinoy National Championships was indeed a milestone.
Such was the case of Genisis Marana, who headlined the opening day of the annual meet at the Sports Complex here on Sunday with two victories within an hour.
The Nueva Ecija ace clocked 14:34 to top the criterium Category B 15-under girls race before besting her foes in the criterium Category A 17-under girls 30 minutes after.
"Athletics po ang sports ko dati," said Marana, a bronze medalist in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa in Dumaguete.
Marana is a cousin of Marlboro Tour standout and now trainer Ariel, who took her under his wings before she joined competitions in San Jose City.
She was soon discovered by veteran coach Cesar Lobramonte and her decision to shift to cycling from athletics was quick to pay dividends.
"Nakikisabay lang po talaga ako sa tito ko na teacher sa pag-bike," she said. "Sumali ako sa amin at nanalo ako. Doon na po ako nadiskubre ni coach Cesar Lobramonte."
Meanwhile, Myra Acedo of Davao City and and Karen Mamayon of Cebu wound up second and third, respectively, with identical 13:02 in Category B 15-under.
In Category A 17-under, Olongapo's Veronica Deldio finished second (23:32) while Mamayon placed third with the same time.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
Watch Now
