Sports Eye
Tribute to Gerry Lacuesta
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
A ONE-DAY bicycle road race will be held in Bayambang on March 16 in honor of Atty. Geruncio Lacuesta as one of the activities to celebrate Bayambang’s quadricentennial anniversary.
Avid followers of cycling remember Atty. Lacuesta as the pioneer of Philippine cycling and the father of the very first multi-stage bicycle road race “Tour of Luzon” (TL). Started in 1955, I won two of his organized countless bikathons (also in the Visayas and Mindanao) and the last was in 1977, which I won. Born in Barangay Poblacion, Bayambang, the lawyer so loved cycling that he traveled to France in 1958 to watch and observe the world’s most famous, richest and longest bicycle road race, the “Tour de France”. He was the only leader of Philippine cycling known to have done it. Unfortunately, the Tour of Luzon series ended after he was killed in November 1983 amid a controversy over the Mangabul fisheries-fishponds. He was then the manager-administrator of the Bayambang Fishery and Hunting Park and Watershed for 25 years.
I was in Guam when he was hacked to death, as reported by The PUNCH colleague Jun Velasco. We, the former TL cyclists, were stunned by the news and his death also led to the demise of the fabled Tour of Luzon. The Marlboro Tour was organized to replace it and lasted for 21 years under the umbrella of the Professional Cycling Association of the Philippines (PCAP) headed by Atty. Mat Defensor, a former congressman of Quezon City. The rest is history.
This Lacuesta race was initiated by the town’s sports-minded mayor, Ric Camacho, the only hizzoner that Bayambang ever had who wants his people to remember the legacy of Lacuesta as one of the country’s greatest sports leaders.
As race director, I will hold a press conference slated on January 28 at the Mayor Camacho’s office to explain the mechanics. In behalf of my co-cyclists, our big thanks to Camacho and the town’s tourism head, the indefatigable Emma Mula. Mabuhay po kayo.
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Despite my big fondness for “Chess”, honestly I really don’t know how to play this mental game. I am inspired to monitor developments on the game especially now that my idol Wesley So is now ranked 24th in the world, garnering at present an elo of 2728.6. The Bacoor, Cavite-born So, 20, is the only Filipino so far who has reached this level and he continues to aim to be included in the world’s top 15. He is expected to challenge the 23-year old world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway with an elo of 2872, the highest in the history of this sport. Carlsen just dethroned Viswanathan Anand of India last November by three points, 6.5 -3.5.
Also congratulations to the organizers of the successful hosting of the First Mayor Bona Cup Mangaldan Inter-Commercial Basketball Tournament 2014. The management of PJ Samson this time made a difference. The elimination round just concluded last week with GAP team, runner-up last year, emerging as the top qualifier for the semis. The other three semifinalists are defending titlist Jazysports, Starich Mineral Water and Cela Barrozo. Carry on the good work guys and hoping for your best.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. JOHN 1: 8-10
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