Cebuano To Join Championship Round In Asia Pacific Tour 2016 In Malaysia

Cebuano Joseph Miller, the Philippines’ lone Xterra pro, on Tuesday left for Malaysia to join the championship round of the Asia Pacific Tour 2016 this weekend in Langkawi, Malaysia.

The Xterra Malaysia is the last leg of Xterra Pacific Tour and will be crucial for triathletes gunning for a spot in the overall ranking.

The leg gives double points to the participants.

Miller, 36, who lives in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, currently has 135 points from Xterra Philippines and Saipan.

The best three scores will count for every triathlete.

Miller said he is at sixth place in the pro ranking and needs to work in Malaysia to clinch his target, which is to finish in the top five of the men’s pro overall.

“I am a lot more focused now and faster compared before,” said the 2015 Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC) awardee Miller.

Miller of Team Ford Forza wishes to finish in the Top 3 in Xterra Malaysia to boost his chances in the overall rank.

“I finished third in Xterra Saipan and I hope to duplicate that in Malaysia because it’s a double-point race,” said Miller.

“Every year I get stronger and have been improving my time. I was focused on my preparation for Xterra Malaysia; the only thing I did was train, and every time I do that, my family was on my mind and is my inspiration,” Miller said.

The Xterra Asia-Pacific Tour will award bonus cash prizes for the Top 5 pros in the men’s and women’s divisions.

The champions will each receive USD2,000, the second placers will get USD1,500 and the third placers get USD800. Those who finish at fourth and fifth places get USD400 and USD300, respectively.

Miller will be joined by teammate Elmo Clarabal, who will compete in the age group division. Motor Ace Racing’s Jonel Borromeo, Tenggoy Colmenares and Tolitz Dagoy Albina will also join the event.

The race will feature a 1.5-kilometer open water swim, a 38K off-road bike and an 11K trail run. (PNA) LAP/EB/MP/EBP