Pangasinan cyclists strike again

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

The months of July, August and September are supposed to be the rainy season. PAGASA earlier said this year is supposed to be characterized by La Niña, a weather phenomenon of abundant rains. But it has been the other way around. We’ve had El Niño, or dry spell, like what the farmers say.

They’re right and we are obviously encountering some problems now, particularly in our rain-fed rice fields.

And because of this uncommon season, organizers of cycling events like myself are pursuing more races despite the big threat of a bad climate that may impede the success of the bikefest, an outdoor event.

This is the reason why we staged the PD Cycling Challenge last August 26, and fortunately, we did not encounter rainfall, big thanks to the Almighty.

This is also the reason why a big race in Tanay, Rizal was held last September 15 and in Tarlac City last Sunday, despite an imminent intimidation by the latest typhoon that   hit   the country named “Goring.”

And the big and good news is our season-trained Pangasinan riders won both events, plus another one from Guam.

Maybe you did not read this in the papers but it was slightly shown on TV and reliable reports reached me that our professional pedal-pusher, the lanky San Fabian ace Sherwin Carrera, copped the Tanay race to pocket the P10,000 top prize sponsored by well-known cycling patron John Wilkie.

Tarlac City-born but now a Binalonan resident Merculio Ramos, Jr. came in a close second, winning P7,000, with Manileno Dante Cagas landing third, good for P5,000.

Carrera and Ramos are bona fide members of Pangasinan’s dreaded cycling squad called “Pitaki Boyz.”

The following day, it was the turn of Ericson Obosa  to capture the limelight, ruling the annual Tarlac Criterium event to bag the P5,000 top prize with Carrera finishing second, netting P3,000.

Nueva Ecijano upcoming rider Jeffrey Caratitivo placed third to earn P2,000.

Unlike the Tanay race with only cash prizes at stake, the Tarlac City top three winners received a medal apiece.

Like Carrera and Ramos, the former national member Obosa from Manaoag is also an original member of the Pitaki Boyz founded by his ninong, my son Jazy.

Talking about Jazy, what his boys are doing here for Pangasinan is likewise being done by him in Guam.

According to Guam’s daily paper the Pacific Daily News, Jazy captured the third stage of the annual Guam Cycling Federation (GCF) Mountain Bike Rainy Race Series last Sunday that was participated in by some 40 riders.

Caucasians Derek Horton, Fred Gay, Ben Ferguson and Mike Temerowski landed second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Unlike here in the Philippines, where cash prizes are up for grabs in every race, only trophies or medals are being awarded for the top ten winners with an incentive to be a member of the Guam national team to compete in international games funded by GCF, Guam’s national cycling body.

Jazy’s protégé and Guam’s multi-titled cyclist Paul Ballesteros, formerly from Pozorrubio, did not compete because of severe cold and fever.

Our Pangasinan boys are doing great here and abroad. So I wish and hope that our cycling buff Governor Amado Espino, Jr. will pay more attention to our local riders especially now that the Philippine National Games (PNG) is reportedly to be revived.

You helped us during the 1994 PNG when you were still the provincial director, so I am hopeful you will help our boys again, Sir.

This is our sport and I believe hindi tayo mapapahiya dito.

My advice is, don’t be like your predecessor.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/)

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