By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

TWO consecutive bike road races with different formats are slated this coming April 30 and May 1. The April 30 bikefest is in conjunction with the celebration of Sual town fiesta and the Bangus Festival under the leadership of Sual town chief executive Lizeldo “Dong” Calugay and supported by two well-known sports-minded Pangasinan celebrities headed by our father of the province Amado I. Espino, lll and our former governor/First District Congressman Oscar M. Orbos.

Meanwhile, the May 1 affair is in connection with the Pista’y Dayat festivity to be sponsored anew, as in the past, by the country’s famous Excellent Noodles under the auspices of capital town hizzoner Leopoldo N. Bataoil.

Dubbed as “OO NA, ANG POGI NG PANGASINAN MAYOR’S CUP BIKEFEST 2022”, the April 30 road battle with an approximate distance of 137 kilometers, will start and finish at Fisherman’s Wharf in Sual passing the places of Alaminos City, Bani, Bolinao (turning point), back to Bani, to Agno’s barangay Banganoda junction, Dakok junction in Burgos, Mabini, back to Alaminos City via Don Pedro Braganza Boulevard – LTO junction. It will finish in Sual where the riders started.  The bikefest is exclusively for western Pangasinan cyclists with maximum of 70 contestants, according to event coordinator Luke Orbos.

Meanwhile, the May 1 event will be run in three categories: open, 35 to 49 years old and the 50 years old and above division with a maximum of 90 participants. The start and finish line will be across the barangay Domalandan basketball court and will traverse three times the towns of Bugallon (barangay Soconi junction only), Labrador (barangay Bongalon junction only) for the 35 to 49 and the 50 years old and above categories, respectively, with an approximate distance of 70 kilometers. The open event will pass the same route four times, with estimated distance of 92 kilometers. Of course, cash prizes, trophies and medals are at stake. See you there.

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I was surprised to learn today, evening of April 20, that the much-awaited sixth game between the defending champions Ginebra Gin Kings and the Meralco Bolts of this year PBA Governor’s Cup best-of-seven championship series was abruptly postponed due to smoke blaze caused by the venue’s air condition unit defect. My fellow ardent basketball aficionados especially the bettors were surprised and bewildered by this unexpected deferment. Many say that the heavily favored Ginebra quintet of multi-titled coach Tim Cone, could have clinched the championship, again, for the fourth time, if it was not deferred. Borrowing from the sports cliché that says, “it’s not over until it’s over,” I believe the title-hungry Meralco five of veteran coach Norman Black will bounce back in the sixth game to tie the series, 3-3. Yes, the sixth tiff will still be played this time at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday (April 22). And in case Meralco luckily wins the sixth, the winner-take-all seventh and final encounter of the two Philippine professional giant squads will be done on April 24 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

I don’t want to predict or even speculate if who will be the lucky winner this year, but I have a strong feeling that the series will reach the climax match. And if that happens, I’m afraid the final squabble will be very physical on the part of Meralco since it is hungry and thirsty of championship victory. Yes, by the time you read this piece, for sure the championship already ended.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: ‘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

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