Ayala Philippine National Open Invitational Athletics Championship 2016

Over 1,000 athletes have already signed up for the annual athletics meet organized by the PATAFA.

This year’s version of the National open is the championship year that marks the forging of a long-term partnership between Ayala Corporation and the PATAFA. This year’s National Open returns to the Philippine capital, the hub of athletics in the country. The three-day scorching, live, action-packed competition will be held on April 7, 8, and 9 in PhilSports (formerly ULTRA) in Pasig. It will be open to the public for anyone who is interested to show support for our athletes.

The 2016 Open is anticipated to be a tightly contested championships. The championships will showcase the athletic prowess of the members of the national athletics team pitted against the best of the best across the country. This year, expected to provide tough competition are over 1,000 up-and-coming and powerhouse track and field athletes all over the Philippines. There will also be young and top-notch athletes from neighboring Asian countries such as South Korea, Malaysia (expected to field teams from Peninsular Malaysiaand Sabah), Singapore, Hong Kong, Guam, Brunei and Mongolia.

The Philippines will, on the other hand, field entries from the national team, the national training pool and collegiate leagues like the UAAP, NCAA, SCUAA.

Who to watch out for in the 2016 APNOIAC

Local athletics stalwarts may spring some sizzling athletics performances in the upcoming championships.

Marestella Torres, who holds both the RP and SEA Games records in Long Jump at 6.71m, will compete in the same event on April 7 in pursuit of a Rio Olympics slot.

Ernest John (EJ) Obiena, one who holds the year’s best in Southeast Asia for Pole Vault with a record of 5.60m, 10cm short of the 5.70m Olympic qualifying mark, is expected to meet
strong opposition from his Thai nemesis in the 2015 SEA Games.

Christopher Ulboc, reprising his 3000m Steeplechase SEA Games winning run, will compete in the 3000m Steeplechase on April 8.

Leading the Fil-Am charge are Rio Olympics qualifier Eric Cray who will join in the 100m and 400m Hurdles and currently ranks 38th in the world; Caleb Stuart, the 2015 Southeast Asian Games Hammer Throw record holder; and, Donovant Arriola, bronze medalist in Long Jump in the Singapore SEA Games. A returnee to the Open is Brandon Thomas, who competed in the 2015 National Open in Sta Cruz, Laguna, can run a time good enough to qualify for the 7th Asian Indoor Championship in Doha, Qatar, will compete in the 100 and 200 meter runs.

Schedule of Ayala Philippine National Open Invitational Athletics Championship 2016

DAY 1
6:30am Long Jump FINAL Women

—> Marestella Torres (will it be her swan song; will she be able to make the 6.70m Olympic qualifier?)

4:30pm Hammer Throw FINAL Men

–> Caleb Stuart (his main event; he set a new SEA record in the last SEA Games)

7:30pm 4x100m Relay Semi-Final Men

–> Eric Cray competes as part of a relay team ((Rio Olympics qualifier)

DAY 2
8:30am 3000m Steeplechase FINAL Men

–> Christopher Ulboc (won the gold in the last SEA Games)

6:45pm 4x400m Relay Semi-Final Men

–> Eric Cray competes as part of a relay team (Rio Olympics qualifier)

8:00pm 4x100m Relay FINAL Men

–> Eric Cray competes as part of a relay team (Rio Olympics qualifier)

DAY 3
4:00pm Pole Vault FINAL Men

–> EJ Obiena (the fastest improving member of the national team; he is 10cm close to the 5.70m Olympic qualifying mark)

6:00pm 4x400m Relay FINAL Men

–> Eric Cray competes as part of a relay team (Rio Olympics qualifier)

The 2016 Ayala Philippine National Open-Invitational Athletics Championships is title-sponsored by the Ayala Corporation, co-presented by Milo Nutri-up and the PATAFA supported in part by the Philippine Sports Commission and the IAAF with major sponsors Foton Philippines, PCSO, Summit Natural Drinking Water, Appeton, Asics Watch, L TimeStudio, and media partners Business Mirror, Business Mirror Health & Fitness Magazine, and the official radio station Mellow 94.7.