Sports Eye
Gov. Pogi complies with directives to protect us
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
UPON learning that the start-finish-start of the 6th and 7th stages in Lingayen of this year’s Ronda Pilipinas bikathon was scrapped, some of our local bets called and asked me what the real score was behind the cancellation of the two stages. I admitted to them that the good Gov. Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III wants to comply strictly with the directives of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) anent the dreaded disease “COVID-19” that’s spreading around the globe. I stressed to them that the sports-buff governor’s primary objective is to protect us from that viral disease that already killed more than two thousand persons worldwide. (I doff my hat to the governor’s quick move.} I also pointed out that aside from the immediate closure of all public facilities of the provincial government that are used as venues for large gatherings like meetings, conferences, seminars, concerts, Gov. Pogi also immediately ordered the postponement of the annual Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) Meet to March 31 to April 7 which was originally slated on February 20-26 with Pangasinan as the host this year.
“Sayang,” said Mangaldan cyclist 2018 Le Tour de Filipinas champion Joshua Cariπo. But I tried to motivate them saying that they can still win sans Pangasinan stage just like they did before. I told them not to forget that cycling is our sport, then and until now that brought home already 22 individual national Tour diadems aside from countless team crowns.
Thirteen of our local elite bets were distributed to different commercial teams vying for the title this year headed by the ageless and the only four-time national Tour champion in the Philippines Santy Barnachea of Umingan. The others are the Cariño siblings Joshua and Daniel Ven, 2018 Ronda Pilipinas king Ronald Oranza and his town mate Bonijoe Martin of Villasis, the brothers Mark Julius and Warren Bordeos and Leonardo Valdez of Laoac, three from San Manuel headed by Southeast Asia Games three-time gold medalist Alfie Catalan, Dennis Gabaldon and Arden James Mendoza, Dominic Perez of Sto. Tomas, and Sherwin Carrera of San Fabian.
Despite the COVID-19 scare, the organizers of the 2020 Ronda Pilipinas 10-day bicycle marathon will push through according to Ronda Pilipinas chief organizer Moe Chulani. Well, that’s their prerogative and should be respected.
The bikefest starts in Sorsogon City today, February 23 and will end in Vigan City on March 4 after traversing key parts of southern, central and northern Luzon including the crucial 8th and 9th Baguio City climb stages which I firmly believe are the principal keys to win the coveted tiara.
Good luck to our boys and hopefully they will bring home the beacon, again.
* * * *
My big thanks to the academe and the committee officers of the University of Pangasinan Association of Communication Students (UPACS) spearheaded by ANINAW Media Awards chairman Mr. Gem Rodolf Langit and UPACS-ANINAW adviser Ms. Sheina May M. Bugarin for selecting me (again) as the Best Sports Writer in the annual ANINAW Media Awards in its fourth edition. This is my third award in-a-row to receive this memorable and monumental accolade in the province’s sports writing. Mabuhay po kayong lahat. See you there at UPang gymnasium on March 13.
* * * *
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines nd pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.” LUKE 21: 10 – 11
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
