Ravina is Pangasinan’s best bet in Ronda

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

THE second edition of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas took off last Wednesday. As expected, the strong Nueva Ecija Team representing V-Mobile and skippered by 2009 Padyak Pinoy champ Joel Calderon took charge in the first day, winning the 20.6-kilometer team-time-trial stage with defending team champion LPGMA-American Vinyl slower by 26 seconds. The Philippine Army/RC Cola squad skippered by three-time SEA Games gold medallist Alfie Catalan from San Manuel landed third, adrift by 36 ticks. It might be premature to say that the Nuevo Ecijano is the team to reckon with but I believe his team is very determined this year to win the team tiara with a whopping P1 million at stake. Unlike Pangasinan which has three teams this year, East, West and Ilocandia, the Nuevo Ecijanos fielded only one solid group, selecting its best in the province. Reports reaching me said our West team captained by Arnel Quirimit landed sixth with more than a minute behind.

As of this writing, May 24, the 96 all-Filipino pedal-pushers (16 teams of six cyclists each) that passed the gruelling qualifying races last March will start their individual quest with a huge P1 million also awaiting the overall champion after 15 days of road battle from the south to the north that will conclude in Manila on June 10. The defending individual champion is our province mate and three-time titlist Santy Barnachea. Unlike last year where he represented the East Pangasinan squad that placed fifth in team competition, the 37-year old navy man Barnachea from barangay Esperanza in Umingan will don the colours of the Philippine Navy squad this year.

“It will be harder for me this time to win the race because my co-competitors will be closely watching me in every stage,” said Barnachea. “But the two Baguio City stages are very important to all of us and that’s where we, the experienced riders, will be separated from the boys. Whoever wears the ‘red jersey’ (Ronda’s symbol of overall leadership) after the Baguio stages will be the sure winner this year,” he asserted.

I believe him. That’s what happened to him last year. Barnachea, out of the radar in the first eight stages throughout the flat trek, suddenly stroke hard during the Vigan-Baguio leg to capture the overall leadership from Guimba’s son Calderon and never relinquished up to the last and final lap. And that’s what also happened to Asingan-born Baler Ravina during this year’s Le Tour de Filipinas. The mountain specialist Ravina who was on the seventh position in the overall standing after the third stage and more than seven minutes behind from the leader surprisingly spurted away from the main pack at the mountains near the Ambuklao dam during the Bayombong-Vizcaya-Baguio City final stage to become the new champion. Because of his mountain climbing prowess, his dream was fulfilled. And I believe he’s our best bet in this year’s Ronda. He’s only 30 years old with vast experience, local and international, me surmising that he’s now at the peak of his chosen career. So let’s meet them on June 6 during their Lingayen lap terminal. Our presence will be a moral booster to them, if not financially, at least spiritually. I believe I could help in a strategic way prior to the two Baguio stages which will be the deciding factors of the big race. See you there.

*      *      *      *

Singing is not a sport but I want to extend but say my big congrats to my co-Fil-Mex Jessica Sanchez for a job well done despite bagging only the second place in the just concluded American Idol singing competition. Sanchez is the first Filipino to fight closest to what is perhaps the world’s most popular title in singing, surpassing the feat of Jasmine Trias who landed third in 2004. We should all be proud of her. As we saw her looks and figure on TV, she looks more Filipina Maria Clara than a Mexican señora. Yes, you’re right, unlike me.

*      *      *      *

QUOTEOF THE WEEK: And the Lord God said to Moses, “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” LEVITICUS 20: 13

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments