Pangasinan athletes shine again

By Jesus A. Garcia

THE five-day Tour de East Java bicycle marathon where our local boys participated was concluded last Sunday and our all-Pangasinense squad representing the Philippines landed fifth out of 22 teams from different countries in Asia including the host Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Iran, Qatar, Taiwan, China, Kazakhstan, Taiwan and Hong Kong as well as from Europe and Australia.

This was the first time that we sent a local team abroad and also the first time that we placed fifth in an international competition.

The European-trained Iranians, spearheaded by veteran Asian Games medalist Gradel Mizbani, won both the team and the individual events.

Our five-man Pangasinan squad was composed of Merculio Ramos Jr. from Binalonan (born in Tarlac City), Sherwin Carrera of San Fabian, Ericson Obosa of Manaoag, Reynaldo Navarro of San Jacinto, and my townmate Renato Sembrano of Mangaldan. 

These five are legitimate members of the dreaded Pitaki Boyz being managed, coached and sponsored by my son’s company Jazy Sportswear.

Of course, aside from receiving plaudits from the organizers as well as from the spectators, they also received cash prizes.

The bikefest was sanctioned by the world governing body Union Cycliste Internaionale or better know as UCI.

UCI is the cycling version of FIBA, the world governing entity of basketball.

My son Jazy called me after the race and said that following the sterling performance of his boys that stunned the other countries, Iran and Indonesia’s Cycling Federations are inviting anew our Pangasinan squad for some big races in Iran and Indonesia next month and June, respectively.

Jazy said they will go, pero depende daw sa panahon and how much he can afford to spend for his Pangasinan boys.

In fact, after that grueling race in Java, Jazy immediately enplaned to Guam where he’s based to mobilize the preparation for the stage one of the Tour de Marianas slated today, April 13, in Saipan.

Stages two and three will be held in Guam on May 3 and 4, respectively.

This three-day series bikefest is under his company’s sponsorship, Jazy Sportswear.

Mabuhay ang Pangasinan!

* * * * * *

Kudos to our Region 1 athletes who are shining good in the 2008 National Private School Athletic Association (PRISAA) Games being held in Zamboanga City.

As of press time, Region 1 already bagged 12 medals, three gold, four silver and five bronze. 

The gold medalists are Joenito Castillo in high jump from Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU), Liza Fabia in karatedo from University of Luzon (UL) and Rosiel Corpuz from Virgin Milagrosa University Foundation (VMUF) in triple jump.

The silver medalists are Benilda de Guzman, Cathlyn Valmena, Jun Villa, all from UL and Jongjong Calaniang from VMUF.

Bronze winners are Janil Polangco, Racel Naches, Jackson Casipit and Region 1’s 4 x 100-meter relay for both men and women.

According to Seato Gonomil and Phil Celi, PRISAA Region 1 treasurer and executive director, respectively, Region 1 is 7th in overall team standing out of 17 regions after four days of hostilities.

Gonomil and Celi said the Region 1 basketball team – as of this writing-remains  undefeated  after four games, trouncing the host Region IX in their initial game, 99-93, clobbering Region IV-A (Calabarzon) in their second game, 106-85, crushing Region II in their third game, 91-77, and plastering Region V in their fourth game, 71-51.

Mabuhay kayong lahat and keep up the good work, guys.

(Readers may reach columnist at biking.jess@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/
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