PH cyclists conquered Saipan and Guam

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

I’VE been to Saipan seven times during my eleven years of stay in Guam. Three of these trips were for pleasure, three were for business and one memorable  basketball goodwill game in 1989.

In that particular game against Saipan-based Filipino cagers led by former PBA Crispa stalwart Joy Cleopas and Paez. (I forgot his first name), our team was led by ex-PBA Añejo Rum forward Bolinao-born Rolly Buhay and Caviteño Menardo Jubinal of the PABL Converse team and beefed up by some Pangasinenses and Mañilenos. We won by just a mere point, 82-81!

During those days, there were no invitational bicycle races and all races were intended for locals only until the annual invitational bikefest dubbed as “Hell of the Marianas” was launched.  The most recent was held last December 4 and for the first time, two of our nationals, Jan Paul Morales and three-time Tour champion (2009 Tour of Luzon, 2012 Ronda Pilipinas, 2014 Le Tour de Filipinas) Mark John Lexer Galedo participated.

According to my son Jazy, who together with Tour veteran Reinhard Gorantes, accompanied the two to mentor and to escort the PH delegation, Morong,-Rizal born Morales, suffered but overcame two mechanical breakdowns halfway of the 105-kilometer winding trek. Using his international exposure and experience, he managed to rejoin the front after a relentless pursuit and  eventually controlled the event in the last four kilometers. He beat robust Japanese ace Maokoto Morimoto by about 400 meters. Teammate Galedo finished third, one minute 27 seconds adrift Morales.

Jazy said, based on the official report handed it to him by Zambales-born Ricky Castro of the organizing Northern Mariana Islands Cycling Federation and the sponsoring Marianas Visitors Authority, the 158 contestants were led by the defending champion Ryutaro Nakamura of Japan who finished fifth this time. 2014 titlist and second-ended Russian Alexandr Dororiskikh did not finish. Morales pocketed $2,000, Morimoto $1,500, and Galedo $1000 plus trophy apiece.

Morales and Gorantes flew back to PH the following day but Jazy and Galedo proceeded to Guam for the annual Tour of Guam scheduled on December 11. Galedo,31, was the lone representative of PH. In that race, Galedo broke away after the neutral zone (10 kilometers from the start), rode trouble-free to rout the other 149 participants (40 were foreigners).  Galedo clocked the 105 kilometers roller-coaster course in two hours and 54 minutes, a new record, besting last year’s time of three hours, one minute and 33 seconds established by Korean Yong Joon Seo who did not compete this year. For his effort, he pocketed $1,000. U.S. military man Jay Sternadei came in second more than three minutes behind, while local bet Patrick Camacho arrived third.

The three also received trophy each from Guam Sports Events led by managing director Ben Ferguson and the Guam Cycling Federation. Jazy said there were 90 survivors that started and finished at Skinner Plaza infront of Guam Museum in Hugatna village, just a stone’s throw away from capital Agana.

For Morales and Galedo, it was their first trip to these U.S territory islands, and perhaps their second will be next year. My big congrats to you guys.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And the angel Gabriel said, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.” LUKE 1: 31

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