Javier, new pride of Pangasinan

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

DUATHLON is not one of the sports that Pangasinenses are passionate about. Well, we could have at least 20 trained duathletes in the province today but despite the scarcity of the ‘run-bike-run’ event, Pangasinan has produced (so far), four national prominent duathlete: Robeno Javier and Robinson Esteves of Urdaneta City and Jeric Buhian and Jefferson Valdez of Asingan. And the best among these four and perhaps in the whole archipelago is Javier.

According to the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) headed by Tom Carrasco, Javier, 28, dominated the country’s duathlon events last year and landed third and sixth places in the Asian duathlon tilts to come out as the overall champion in 2013. This eventually led to his selection by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) and the Sports Columnists Organization of the Philippines (SCOOP) as ‘Duathlete of the Year”.  This is a coveted award for an athlete, to top his chosen event for the year, yet a privilege that’s rarely accorded twice.  (This happened to me in 1973 when I won the Tour of Luzon and was awarded the “Best Cyclist of the Year” but never earned it again the following years in spite of my achievements in 1977, i.e., winning the 8-day Tour of PICCA (Philippine Industrial Commercial Cycling Association) and the 15-day Tour of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. I don’t know why but this is the prerogative of the national sports scribes.

Javier’s achievements in 2013 were: Off Road Duathlon in Quezon City (champion); UNILAB Duathlon Championship in Clark (first runner-up); National Duathlon Series leg 1 in Alabang (champion); leg 2 in Cavite (champion); leg 3 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna (champion); National Duathlon Championship in Subic (champion). He landed third In the Indonesia Duathlon Asian Cup in April and placed sixth overall in the Invitational Powerman in Malaysia last November but luckily bagged the first Asian finisher plum. That shows that the guy born in Barangay Sto. Domingo is gradually improving in his chosen career. His other dream is to participate in the 2014 ITU World Duathlon Championship on May 31-June 1 in the western coastal city of Galician, Pontevedra, Spain. This world tiff consists of 10-kilometer run, 40-kilometer bike and the final five-kilometer run.

I hope that despite the dearth of participants and followers in this run-bike-run road event, Pangasinan LGUs, especially our provincial government, will also begin to support this sport which I believe we could excel in. Javier is proof of this. And who knows, the 18 year-old Buhian and the 24 year-old Esteves might be our next champions to reckon with. The provincial government should also at least bestow on Javier a ‘recognition’ for the impressive feat last year. I believe he has six more years to accomplish his other dreams and win more laurels for the province. Will the Espino administration consider organizing some duathlon events purposely to encourage the province’ potential young athletes? Let’s wait and see.

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My heartfelt congrats to our young cyclists Emmanuel delos Santos, Malone Canlas and Rayven Scott Evans for dominating the cycling events, winning the gold, silver and bronze medals, in the just concluded Batang Pinoy National Games held in Bacolod City. Yes, of course, to all the winners and their coaches, too, in their respective events. Mabuhay po kayo and keep up the good work. 

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus Christ said “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. MARK 13: 30-33

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