Sports Eye
In Cebu for the Tour
CEBU CITY – OUR flight to this city last Monday night was a one-hour and five minute-flight with approximately 40 scary minutes of unstable ride due to the inclement weather. It was the low-pressure area that eventually turned into a typhoon, internationally named Haiku. We encountered a lot of turbulence from Clark to this booming city, but thanks to God, our plane landed safely. Only the last 25 minutes were smooth flying. But after going thru the heavy rainfall that eventually inundated the country’s central part of Luzon, last Monday and Tuesday, believe it or not, it’s the opposite climate here in Cebu. This beautiful province especially its city also named Cebu, rich in history, culture, seashores and Christianity, is ironically experiencing extreme heat and humidity, no signs of rain at all. Air-conditioning at the inn we’re billeted in located along Sergio Osmena Avenue were in full blast non-stop since the time we arrived here.
I brought five of the original Mangaldan-based Pitaki Boyz cyclists to represent our province, especially my beloved town Mangaldan to this year’s Tour of Cebu, a five-day (August 8-12) bikathon that spanned a total of 439 kilometers and with a total prize of P418,000 at stake. The Mangaldan team sponsored by the town’s chief executive Herminio A. Romero is composed of 2003 Tour Pilipinas champion Arnel Quirimit as the skipper, Baler Ravina (asst. skipper), Ericson Obosa, Renato Sembrano and Ferdinand Pablo. They are to face a tough field of 40 riders spearheaded by 2011 Ronda Pilipinas team champion LPGMA-American Vinyl headed by 2012 Ronda Pilipinas first runner-up Mapandan son-in-law Irish Valenzuela. Included here also are our SEA Games and Asian Games Philippine national squad led by Cebu pride John Renier Mier representing LBC-A team. According to the chief organizer David Odilao Jr., at least three teams were not able to arrive due to the bad weather.
The first day of the bikefest belonged to John Renier Mier from this place. He not disappoint his provincemates by winning the 4.2 kilometers prologue (individual time-trial) event that gave him the privilege to wear the coveted yellow jersey, the symbol of overall leadership. Coming in second was Bataan-born, Olongapo City resident Rudy Roque, and third was another Cebu stalwart and also a national member Nino Surban. Unfortunately, our best bet Quirimit landed seventh and Obosa placed 11th, 12 and 18 seconds off Mier, respectively. (Of course I was there with my son Jazy at the start and at the finish line not only to coach the team but also to represent The Punch).
On Thursday, prologue winner Mier won anew topping the 2nd stage d 101 kms. Cebu City – Bogo City 2nd stage to retain his yellow jersey, d symbolic of overall leadership. Bogo City is the birthplace of Filipino great boxer and world boxing Hall of Famer Gabriel “Flash” Elorde. Anyway, the good news so far is our Mangaldan Team is now in 2nd place with 2011 Ronda Pilipinas Tour team champion LPGMA-American Vinyl at d helm. We were in 4th position on the first leg.
I’m rushing to write this piece (Friday morning) and I’m sure that by the time you read this, the bikefest might still be in progress for the last stage, Sunday, or already finished. Hopefully our boys will proudly stand at the podium, for the team and the individual honors. Please wish us luck. Also my thanks to my two townmates, my kumpadre Melchor de Guzman and madam Bonafe de Vera Parayno. Mabuhay din kayo.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, HEBREWS 11: 6
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