CHIP ON HER SHOULDER

The Motorace Racing Team (from left) Merly Colmenares, Tenggoy Colmenares, Mary Joy Tabal, Philip Duenas, Andre Borromeo and Jose Daniel Borromeo gather in a press conference at Casino Espanol de Cebu. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

Cebu’s Tabal out to prove a point in Boston Marathon stint

For the country’s reigning Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabal, her upcoming stint in the prestigious Boston Marathon this April will be more than just fulfilling a dream. It’s a chance to prove a point.

Tabal was part of the Philippine National Team for track and field last year but decided to leave after less than a year because of differences between both sides. Tabal isn’t saying what really happened that made her leave the support of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa).

It can be recalled, though, that Tabal had to bank on private sponsors to join certain races last year such as the Great Eastern Women’s Run in Singapore. The PH Team sent Mary Grace delos Santos and Cristabelle Martes to join that race while Tabal had to get support from Motorace for that race.

Tabal beat both PH Team bets, finishing fourth in the 21k race. Delos Santos was sixth while Martes was eighth.

Not long after, Tabal sealed her partnership with the Motorace Racing Team, which means all her races will now be supported by the company.

Tabal’s stint in the upcoming Boston Marathon, made possible after topping the Milo National Marathon, will be an important one since at stake here is a chance to qualify for the Rio Olympics later this year.

“My doubters are really the ones who motivated me to train harder,” Tabal said.

The official Olympic qualifying time for the women’s marathon is two hours and 48 minutes. Tabal’s personal best is three minutes shy of that time.

“I can do it, it’s very possible that I can get the qualifying time,” Tabal said.

She said the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) offered support if she qualifies for the Olympics. But she said, she will stick with the support from Motorace, one of which will be an all-expense paid trip to Tokyo, Japan to train there for two months for the Boston Marathon.

“I really prefer Japan because I’ve seen how they train there and it’s quite comfortable training with fellow Asian runners. If this won’t push through, Motorace has other options, they can send me to Australia or Huston, Texas to train for the Boston Marathon,” Tabal said. “We are just now waiting for the final decision of the Philippine Embassy with regards to my training in Japan.”

Motorace Philippines president Jonel Borromeo said he is confident Tabal will be able to train in Japan.
“We are 80 percent sure that she will be training there. If not, then we have to use other options.”