The year that was in Pangasinan sports

By Jesus Garcia Jr.

 

A HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone. Hopefully 2009 will be fruitful, peaceful, glorious and prosperous to all of us.

Year 2008 I believe is rewarding to most of our local athletes who competed in our region, national and even in some international competitions. According to my file, our cyclists, our cagers and track and fielders brought home some unforgettable accolades for the province.

Before my space runs short, allow me to recapitulate the good results of some important events where our provincial athletes participated. Let me begin in cycling, undeniably considered one of the favorite sports of Pangasinenses.

CYCLING

Feb. 2 “RD Gen. Bataoil Cycling Challenge” won by Reynaldo Navarro of San Jacinto.

Feb. 17 “UPang Foundation Day Cycling Classic” won by Ariel Flores of Mangaldan.

Feb. 24 “Lingayen Cycling Challenge” won by Ariel Flores of Mangaldan.

March 2 “XV Werweran ed Mangaldan” won by Reynaldo Navarro in the elite category and Jazy Garcia finished second in the executive division.

March 15 “2nd Gen. Bataoil Cycling Challenge” won by Tarlac City born Binalonan resident Merculio Ramos, Jr.

April 2-6 “Tour de East Java,” Pangasinan Cycling Team dubbed as the Pitaki Boyz sponsored by Jazy Sportswear/Beacon placed fifth out of 22 teams.

April 19 “Bangus Cycling Classic” won by Merculio Ramos, Jr.

April 30 “Manila-Baguio Classic,” Renier Clauna of Bugallon placed second.

May 1-3- “Tour of Pangasinan” won by Merculio Ramos, Jr.

September 16 “Mayor Romero-Emperador Cycling Challenge” won by Reynaldo Calosa of San Jacinto.

Nov. 23-Dec.5 “Tour de Indonesia,” Pitaki Boyz placed third out of 17 in the team classification.

Dec. 6 “Tour of Saipan,” Jazy Garcia placed second.

Dec. 14 “2nd Gen. Bataoil-Jesus Garcia, Jr. Cup Siklista Kontra Sa Droga” won by Merculio Ramos, Jr.

Dec. 14-21 “Tour of South China Sea,” Pitaki Boyz landed 11th place out of 17 teams.

Dec. 28 “Urbiztondo Cycling Challenge” won by Mark Julius Bonzo of Sual in the elite category and Benny Uson of Urbiztondo in the executive division.

BASKETEBALL

Feb-April “First Martina Farm Open Basketball Tournament” won by St. Lucy’s Eye.

April 15-21 “National PRISAA Games,” Region 1 team bannered by the University of Luzon (UL) Golden Tigers under the tutelage of coach Renato “Jack” Vidal won the bronze medal.

Aug.-October “PRISAA Pangasinan-Dagupan Inter-Collegiate Basketball Championship”.

 Oct. 24,25-Nov.3-5 “Phil. Collegiate Championship League (PCCL) Area Qualifying Tournament,” UL defeated Lyceum of Subic Bay and Lyceum of Batangas City but lost to the Mapua Cardinals and failed to qualify for the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ national format.

Nov. 28-30 “Region 1 PRISAA Basketball Tourney” won by Dagupan City bannered by UL held at St. Louis gym in San Fernando City, La Union. Dagupan City to represent Region 1 in the 2009 PRISAA National Games at Naga City starting April 19.

ATHLETICS

Nov. 28-Dec. 1 “Region 1 PRISAA Games,” San Carlos City captured the overall championship dethroning defending champion Dagupan City.

I know that there were more astounding results from  our Pangasinan athletes last year but which I failed to get (especially during the Bangus Festival because after the April 19 bikefest, I took a quick trip to Hawaii).

To our other sports heroes who contributed laurels to the province, please accept my apology. Carry on the good work this 2009. God bless.

 

 

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