Baguio boy Eduard Josh Buenavista of the University of the Philippines broke two long-standing records in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Collegiate Athletics Championship held at the Philsports Oval in Pasig City last week.
Buenavista first broke the 10,000 meters run in 32:08.30 minutes, smashing the 32:38.88 mi-nutes set by Nelbert Ducusin of Far Eastern University in UAAP Season 68.
Reports said that the 10,000-m. is not the territory of Buenavista, but UP Coach Rio dela Cruz entered the former in the event hoping he could contribute points for the UP squad.
But Buenavista, a Brent International School alumnus surprised everyone when he smashed the 10,000-m. UAAP record.
The FEU running community has extended its congratulatory message to Buenavista for breaking the 10,000-m. record after 16 years.
Buenavista also broke the 5,000-m. UAAP record when he clocked 15:16.37 for his second gold.
It was not immediately known if Buenavista was a podium finisher in the 3,000-m., one his of his pet events.
The two UAAP records for Buenavista automatically earned him a slot to represent the country in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, along with those who hit the bronze medal qualifying for the SEA Games.
Buenavista, who is taking up Bachelor of Sports Science at UP Diliman, is the son of two-time Olympian and holder of the Philippine record for multiple long-distance events Eduardo “Vertek” Buenavista, who hails from South Cotabato but moved his family to Baguio City. – Harley F. Palangchao
