Overtime

ILOILO’S GULMATICO, ALEJADO DOUBLE GOLD WINNERS IN PHILCYCLING NATIONALS

26 February 2025

ALLAEZA Mae Gulmatiico and Maria Louisse Crisselle Alejado won their respective individual time trial (ITT) races in contrasting fashions to make Iloilo proud anew on the second day Tuesday of the PhilCycling National Championships for Road presented by the MVP Sports Foundation and Standard Insurance.

Gulmatico clocked 14 minutes and 45.90 seconds in ruling the Women’s Youth 1 ITT for riders aged 12 to 14 years old in the 5.38-km course in Nasugbu and Batulao in Batangas of the championships organized by the PhilCycling headed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

It was a very close win for Gulmatico in the event that was raced under a cold drizzle and strong crosswind with Ysabel Nicole Jamero finishing second by a mere 38-hundredth of a second and Joanna Mae Armendez winding up a far third almost 50 seconds behind.

Alejado, on the other hand, crossed in 22:46.51 to dominate the Youth 2 race over 8.60 kms for 12 to 14 years old of the event by 24 seconds over silver medalist Yvaine Osias and bronze winner Althea Coronado by more than three minutes.

Gulmatico and Alejado won the first two gold medals staked in Criterium on Monday at the Tagaytay City Atrium of the championships also backed by the POC, Tagaytay City and Excellent Noodles, as well as the Philippine Sports Commission, which supports the national teams of cycling.

Jaime Yuendhale Chavez covered the Men Youth 2 event also covering 8.60 kms in 22:50.93 to win the gold medal over Silmar Khen Silao and John Granad who crossed the finish line in Barangay Kaylaway in Batulao more than four minutes behind.

Criterium champion Jazmine Kaye Vinoya missed a second gold medal after settling for silver in the 10-68-km Women Junior ITT by five seconds behind gold winner Mary Gwennielle Francisco (30:51.86) with Eloiza Pajarito (31:07.66) bagging bronze.

John Ace Villasenor (29:21.31) topped the Men Junior ITT also over 10.68 kms with Emmanuel Vicente (29:26.91) and Ely Ignacio III (29:30.26).