UST track star Franceine Rosario rules 100m on a rainy night at 2026 Palarong Pambansa

AGUSAN DEL SUR — University of Santo Tomas standout Franceine Rosario did not let the heavy rain stop her from dominating one of the marquee track events in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa.

The UAAP star ruled the secondary girls’ 100-meter dash with a time of 12.01 seconds, completing a sprint double after also winning the 200m event the previous day.

Competing in the 100m for the first time in her Palaro career, Rosario delivered the gold-medal performance amid a downpour at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Governor D.O. Plaza Sports Complex in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

On Tuesday, Rosario also captured the gold medal in the 200m with a time of 24.79 seconds, improving on her silver-medal finish in the 2025 edition in Ilocos Norte.

“Sobrang saya po kasi nag-gold na rin po ako sa 100-meter kahit ganito ‘yung panahon, nakuha pa rin. Hindi po ako nag-100 meter nu’ng nakaraan. 200m, 400m, tsaka pole vault po. Silver po ako sa 200m at gold sa pole vault,” Rosario told reporters.

“First time ko po na nag-100 meter sa Palaro.”

Rosario is not only excelling in sprint events, as she is also set to compete in pole vault, one of her signature events in the UAAP, where she currently holds a personal best of 2.51 meters set during Season 88.

Regardless of the weather, Rosario said she is always prepared for the challenge.

“Minsan nagte-training din po ako nang maulan and medyo nasasanay na rin po kasi hindi po natin masabi sa laro kagaya ngayon, biglang umulan,” Rosario added.

“[Pero] mas gusto po namin na mainit po kesa sa ganitong weather po.”

—JKC, GMA News