Junel Gobothia and Jessa Mae Roda ruled the men's and women's 3000-m steeplechase in the ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac, June 12, 2026. PSC photos
MANILA -- National steeplechasers Junel Gobothia and Jessa Mae Roda ruled their respective events at the ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championship, Friday at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
Both athletes are looking to compete at the Asian Games in Japan later this year, and showed marked improvement from their previous performances.
Early morning on Independence Day, Gobothia took control in the last three laps in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase en route to victory in nine minutes and 8.35 seconds.
Meanwhile, Roda ran a tactical race before surging past national teammate Edna Magtubo in the last 100 meters to clinch top spot in the women's race, with a time of 10:38.57.
These times were much faster than the 9:15.39 that Gobothia booked in securing silver and the 11:18.86 of Roda, who finished fifth, at the recent New Taipei City Athletics Open in Chinese-Taipei.
"Buti mas maganda ito kaysa sa last takbo ko sa Taiwan kasi hinahabol namin ni coach Vertek (Buenavista) yung qualifying time para sa Asian Games na 8:36.57," revealed Gobothia, who was able to secure his third gold in the country's premier trackfest.
"Kung puwede, I will strongly endorse Gobothia to be one our steeplechasers in the Asian Games. Malaki naman ang improvement niya and I believe kanya pa niyang ang kang time," noted Buenavista, a one-time Southeast Asian Games steeplechase champion, said.
Also known as a top marathoner, Buenavista said that he would bat for Roda to also be included to the PH squad to the 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, although the qualifying time is 9:47.53 in the event.
"Naghintay lang po ako ng pagkataon at hindi nagpabilis sa mga unang rounds kasi baka ako maubusan," revealed Roda of her winning strategy.
"Malakas din si Magtubo kaya nung makakita ako ng opportunity in the last 100 meters at may lakas pa, saka ko binuhos."
Sharing the spotlight was national teammate Rica Balderama, carrying the colors of FEU, who was eyeing a six-meter jump but had to settle for a personal best of 5.89 meters for the women's long jump gold.
The 22-year-old Balderama rued the fact that she was unable to leap six meters and over because she was seeking to represent the country in the inaugura Asian U23 Championships slated June 9 to 12 in Ordos, China.
The qualifying distance in her pet event is 6.30 meters.
"Kaunti na lang sa takeoff alam kung makukuha yung six meters. Sayang, pero masaya ako dahil nakakuha ako ng bagong personal best," Balderama, a native of Irosin, Sorsogon, said.
She was also proud that she was able to defend her title despite strong foreign opposition Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia.
Singaporean Enya "Chloe" Chee settled for silver (5.79) while Malaysian Aliya Nasaruddin got bronze (5.76).