“Two weeks na ako dito,” she said. “Pinaghandaan ko ’yung weather, lagi kaming lumalabas ng coach ko ng 8 a.m. so naghanda kami para dito.”

This, however, did not prevent her from experiencing jitters before the race.

“Na-realize ko kahapon nu’ng 2005 nanonood lang ako kinakabahan na ako. What more kung ngayon tatayo sa harap ng mga Pilipino? Sobrang kinakabahan ako kagabi hindi ako nakatulog,” she said.

She said the pressure was stronger at home compared overseas since they had to deliver in front of the home crowd.

“’Yung sa Kuala Lumpur iba, kasi lahat ng Pilipino nandito na nag-e-expect ng first and second place panalo ang Filipino,” she said.

Mangrobang will again race on Monday in the relay at 3 p.m., hoping to snare another mint.

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