This Palarong Pambansa 3000m silver medalist is UAAP-bound

AGUSAN DEL SUR—In her third stint at the Palarong Pambansa, Angel Lumacang finally earned the medal that had eluded her in her first two attempts.

That proved she's ready for the next big stage.

Lumacang finished second in the 3000m secondary girls' finals behind her schoolmate and back-to-back gold medalist Chrisia Mae Tajarros, who nearly broke a tournament record by clocking 10:04.76 on Monday at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Governor D.O. Sports Complex here.

Running was not Lumacang’s first sport as she initially competed in the walkathon during her first two Palarong Pambansa campaigns in 2024 and 2025, both of which ended without a podium finish.

"Masaya rin po po kahit hindi ‘ko nakuha ‘yung gold, at least nag-podium po ako and happy po ako do’n dahil binigyan po ako ng lakas ng Panginoon at hindi niya po ako pinabayaan," Lumacang told GMA News Online in an interview.

Although she settled for silver in her final Palarong Pambansa appearance, Lumacang still walked away grateful to finish her run on the podium. And she hopes to carry this sense of pride and fuel when she sets foot in the UAAP.

According to Lumacang, she has already committed to play for Far Eastern University in the collegiate ranks, where she also plans to pursue a degree in Sports Management.

"Malaki po ‘yung tiwala ko sa sarili ko dahil nag-ensayo naman po ako at nandiyan naman po ‘yung mga coaches ko, hindi po nila ako pinabayaan at inalagaan po nila kami," she added.

"FEU po, malaki naman ‘yung tiwala nila sa akin. Grateful po kasi makakapaglaro ako sa isa sa mga pangarap ko na makalaro sa Manila."

Lumacang’s arrival is expected to provide a major boost for FEU, which ruled the women’s athletics competition in UAAP Season 88.

—JKC, GMA News