MANILA — Ilongga distance runner Edna Magtubo proved the heart of Far Eastern University’s dominance as her record-breaking heroics propelled the Lady Tamaraws to their 26th UAAP women’s athletics title on Sunday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
Magtubo, a 22-year-old from Mandurriao National High School in Iloilo City, capped an explosive three-day campaign by clinching Season 88 Most Valuable Player honors — leading FEU’s sweep of both major individual awards after a decisive comeback from a Day 1 deficit.
The sophomore standout captured gold medals in the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter runs — both in record-breaking fashion — before settling for silver in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:14.39 behind National University’s Jessa Roda (10:52.56).
“Nagtodo po ako ng training ko kasi ang alam ko po ‘yung mga nakalaban ko last year, wala na po sila. Nagbawi ako sa mga events ko and kumuha po ako ngayon ng golds,” Magtubo said. “Hindi lang po sa ‘kin nanggaling, nagsabi rin po ‘yung mga coaches ko na kaya mo ‘yan. Mag-training ka lang and mag-aral ka lang nang maayos; pumasok ka sa school para makalaro ka this season.”
FEU head coach Ross Hamero praised his athletes’ resilience and commitment to sustaining the university’s athletics legacy.
“You know that FEU has a legacy, di ba? And pressure rin on my part kasi isa ko sa mga coaches na may longest championship streak dito sa women’s category,” Hamero said. “Sabi ko sa sarili ko na, next season na much better pa — not only with the points, but also ‘yung mga special awards na pwede naming makuha.”
FEU amassed 373.5 points to reclaim the crown, outpacing University of Santo Tomas (242 points) and De La Salle University (217.5 points).
Adding to the Lady Tamaraws’ haul was rookie Jecel Vivas, who achieved a rare double-gold finish in the 100- and 400-meter hurdles with times of 14.39 and 1:01.19, respectively, to secure the Rookie of the Year title.
Meanwhile, Rica Mae Balderama contributed another gold in the long jump (5.86m), while DLSU’s quartet of Erica Ruto, Hannah Delotavo, Ashley Tabad, and Lea Ordinario closed the meet by edging FEU in the 4×400-meter relay (3:53.09 to 3:53.23).
With Magtubo and Vivas leading the charge, FEU reaffirmed its dynasty in UAAP women’s athletics — and its reputation as the gold standard of collegiate track and field./PN
