Leo Lope Franco PRA Indoor Meet performance stood out as the seasoned rower successfully defended his crown during the 2026 Philippine Rowing Association Indoor Meet held Sunday, March 29, at the University Hotel in UP Diliman, Quezon City.

The two-day competition gathered a strong field of participants, reflecting the continued growth of rowing in the country. With more entries this year, the event showcased a deeper and more competitive talent pool across multiple divisions.

Lope Franco leads elite field with title defense

Lope Franco dominated the men’s open solo 1000-meter event, clocking 3:06.0 to retain his title. He outpaced John Martin De Jesus, who finished at 3:09.2, and Vincent Chua, who placed third with 3:17.0.

Despite the victory, Lope Franco admitted that defending his crown required significant preparation. He described the win as fulfilling, noting that the level of competition had noticeably increased compared to previous editions.

“I feel very fulfilled. Of course, defending this title did not come so easy,” he said, emphasizing the effort he put into training for a tougher field.

A former Ateneo de Manila University varsity rower, Lope Franco also pointed out how the sport continues to evolve. He highlighted rowing’s demanding nature, explaining that success depends on a combination of technique, strength, endurance, and consistency throughout the race.

Veluz, Trovela headline other division winners

In the women’s open 1000m event, Madelyn Veluz secured first place with a time of 4:08.4, narrowly beating Alexandria Muyot, who clocked 4:09.6. Kat Santos completed the podium with 4:15.7.

The Under-21 men’s division saw Stephen Andre Trovela take gold with a time of 3:16.6, followed by Clark Tito at 3:21.0 and Miguel Cuales at 3:21.5. In the U21 women’s category, Andrea Daquigan topped the field with 3:55.6, edging Jasmine Regio at 3:56.2, while Ashley Dy finished third at 4:09.9.

Veteran strength was evident in the masters division as 47-year-old Rolando Isidro captured gold in the men’s 500m event with a time of 1:33.3. He narrowly beat Jose Galvadores (1:34.7) and Joel Bagasbas (1:35.1) in a tightly contested race.

In the women’s 500m event, Joni Muyot delivered a commanding performance to win in 2:01.0. Lovely Camino followed at 2:05.6, while Ma Cecilia Vasquez secured third place at 2:05.7 in a close finish.

Team events highlight depth and competition

The group competitions further showcased the depth of talent in Philippine rowing. Grail x Maharlika (B) emerged victorious in the novice mixed team relay 2000m event with a time of 6:46.7, ahead of PROGYM B (6:51.7) and Grail x Maharlika (A) (6:53.7).

In the advanced mixed category, ART V1 delivered the fastest performance of the event, winning gold with a time of 6:36.0. ART V2 followed with 6:54.3, while OAR Siargao rounded out the podium at 6:55.9.

The 2026 PRA Indoor Meet underscored the steady rise of rowing in the Philippines, with both seasoned athletes and emerging talents making their mark. As participation continues to grow, the event serves as a key platform for developing the sport and identifying future standouts.