TUGUEGARAO CITY – Mark Mahinay of Central Visayas achieved his goal of winning back-to-back gold medals in the men's 5000-meter of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games athletics competition here Monday.

The 22-year-old Cebuano from Catmon town clocked 15 minutes and 26.3 seconds to beat Ken Jay Moreto (15:44.3) and Mark Rennel Hubag (15.48.8) of Central Mindanao at Cagayan Sports Complex track and field stadium.

"I want to improve my time (15.22.9) last year in Legazpi City but the air here is different. It's hard to breathe," Mahinay, a third-year Information Technology student at University of Cebu, said.

"I was also experiencing cramps in the last four laps, but I told myself that I have to finish the race," added Mahinay, who set a personal best 15:17.00 while training in Cebu.

He has two more events, the 1500m and 10000m.

Jazmin Butag of Cordillera Administrative Region and Kent Brian Celeste of Ilocos Region shared the limelight with Mahinay after defending their titles.

Butag won the women's shot put in 10.49m, beating Noellen Miane of Western Visayas (9.74m) and Juwelisa Sarabosing of Northern Mindanao (9.68m).

"I did not expect to win because my performance in training was not so good. I also had to prepare for our exams," Butag said after she improved on the 10.51m she registered in claiming the gold last year.

Her personal best was 10.70m registered at the 2023 Philippine National Games in Manila.

Celeste, on the other hand, dominated the men's long jump in 6.79m.

Cjay Eulin of Western Visayas (6.70m) and John Michael Hapita of Bicol (6.62m) took the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

In the Youth category, Darell Johnson Bada of Central Luzon clocked 16:59.0 to win the boys' 5000. Jaren Ganan of Mimaropa placed second (17:00.4), followed by Jay Joben Raña of Bicol (17:02.2).

In girls' shot put, Kate Amirey Cipriano of Northern Luzon registered 11.30m to prevail over Rialyn Fernandez of Mimaropa (9.12m) and Marie Grabrielle Madrigal of Central Luzon (8.69m).

John Raymund Susano of Western Visayas bagged the boys' long jump gold in 6.64m, while teammate Jhon Christoff Lauron (6.10m) settled for the bronze.

Rhain Gian Diaz of Central Visayas grabbed the silver medal in 6.26m. (PNA)