MANILA, Philippines – Eric Cray erased an eight-year-old Philippine record in the 100 meters dash and installed himself one of the favorites to win the century dash in the Southeast Asian Games this June in Singapore.
Cray ran 10.33 seconds in the Bob Cat Invitational in Texas Saturday in Houston, Texas, reported track and field statistician Andrew Pirie. He was third in this event. The old record was 10.45 by Ralph Soguilon in 2007 in Claremont, California.
His time surpassed the winning mark of 10.41 by Jeerapong Minapra of Thailand in the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar.
In a Facebook message, Soguilon congratulated Cray for setting the new record. "Proud of previously breaking the then 45-yr old Phillippine record ( 10.78 by Rogelio Onofre) and holding it for 8 yrs. I now hope this would be the start of an improved Philippine sprinting. Looking forward to more sprinters running under 10.50 seconds."
Renato Unso, secretary-general of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association, told Rappler that Cray's name will be entered in the 100 meters during the managers' meeting a few days before the athletics competition.
"He (Cray) could be a contender (for the gold)," said Unso. The Philippines has never won this event since joining the SEA Games in 1977.
His entry will boost the Philippines' chances of increasing its 7-gold tally in Myanmar.
The Philippines is leaning on three Fil-Ams, including Cray to achieve this. The Fil-Ams are Caleb Stuart in the shot put and discus and Donovont Arriola in the long jump. Other gold medal hopes are pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, who upset defending SEA Games champion Kreeta Sintawachewa of Thailand last month, Archand Christian Bagsit in the 400 meters, Christopher Ulboc in the 3,000m steeplechase and Eduardo Buenavista in the marathon.
Cray is defending his 400m hurdles title and is a reserve in the 4x400m relay squad, which is also aiming to keep its crown in Singapore.
Source: Ignacio Dee of Rappler.com
