Sports Eye

By April 3, 2016Opinion, Sports Eye

Cycling and basketball crazy Mangaldan

Jess Garcia

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

IN the 70s and 80s, my town, Mangaldan, was described by the national scribes as the ‘cradle of Philippine cycling’ for producing three national Tour champions: this writer of Barangay Buenlag (1973 and 1977), the Carino brothers, Samson and Ruben of Barangay Landas (1975 and 1984), three-time first runner-up Cesar Catambay of Barangay Malabago (1973-‘74, 83), as well as Southeast Asia Games gold and silver medalists Alex Lopez and Emeterio Natavio, respectively, (1981 and 1987) both from Barangay Guesang. No town in the entire archipelago had ever surpassed or even equaled the feat that we, the Mangaldan cyclists accomplished, then and until now.

And unknown to many, the first class municipality Mangaldan also already produced an Olympian and that’s my first child and my only cycling son, Jazy (1992 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney) who was born, educated and raised in Mangaldan. But sad to say he represented the U.S protectorate island of Guam for being an American citizen.

All these pedal-pushers were my protégés, unfortunately no other winner was produced by the town in cycling since we all retired. Weather-weather lang ‘ika nga. Yes, there are two emerging potential riders now from Barangay Landas that are joining the Philippines two annual multi-staged bicycle races, “Le Tour de Filipinas” and “Ronda Pilipinas:” the little-known young Carino siblings Joshua and Ven Daniel (relatives of Samson and Ruben). I describe them still raw for the throne since they still lack the exposure and experience as professional riders, and largely untested in mountain climbing which is essential in multi-stage racing.

However, I’m confident that the two will have their moments of glory soon, and someday soon, one of them will wrest a national tiara and be the 21st pedal-pusher from Pangasinan to bring home the 27th national diadem for the province and the fourth title for my town Mangaldan. Who knows, they might just do it in this year’s Ronda Pilipinas Luzon leg. This is their own turf especially the Baguio Marcos Highway and Kennon Road mountain climbs where the two have trained. I’m certain they don’t want to be humiliated in their own backyard. Siya nawa.

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Today, Mangaldan, like other towns in the province, is more into basketball competitions than cycling. Basketball skirmishes are held every year in the town’s barangays, i.e., Buenlag, Amansabina, David, Gueguesangen, Guesang, Landas, Banaoang, Navaluan, Osiem, Bari, Malabago, Anolid, Maasin, Lanas, Bantayan and Poblacion. Competitions are held for various categories: for the young ones (18 years and below), open age and for the aging people (40 and above). However, despite this keen interest of my co-Mangaldanons in this sport, my beloved town Mangaldan still has not produced a PBA player. The towns of Pozorrubio have produced father-and-son Floreindo and RenRen Ritualo and Marc Pingris, Malasiqui with father-and-son Romulo and Belly Mamaril and Joseph Ballesteros, Alaminos City’s Jun Marzan and Lordy Tugade; Lingayen’s Ambrosio Padilla and Ronnie Magsanoc, Sta. Barbara’s Marlou Aquino and Christian Calaguio; Urdaneta City’s Danny Ildefonso; Villasis’ Romualdo Cabading; Bolinao’s Rolly Buhay; Alcala’s Renato Agustin; Tigno (I forgot his first name) of Agno; and Ferreria (I also forgot his first name) of San Quintin. Some say Alvin Patrimonio’s mother was from Umingan but I still have to confirm that. Mark Caguioa’s grandfather, Porfirio Caguioa, was from San Carlos City. Mark and his father were born in Mandaluyong City. Cris Cayabyab of Barangay Maasin should have been the first PBA player from Mangaldan but fate was unkind to him.

How many more tournaments should be held before Mangaldan can produce at least one professional basketball player?

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus Christ said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” LUKE 20: 25

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