Monday, May 05, 2008 RP's top cyclists vie in Manila to Baguio race By Nars Padilla Sportscope
AT LEAST 12 teams bannered by the best riders in the country will showcase their prowess in the grueling Manila to Baguio via the historic Kennon Road today.
The once-in-a-blue-moon spectacle is dubbed the "Liquigaz Race to the Lion's Head." Race director Paquito Rivas himself a multi-titled cyclist said the winning squad will receive a sizzling pot prize of P75,000.
Handsome cash incentive prizes are also at stake for the best individual performers. Rivas points to Irish Villanueva and Baler Ravina as the two rising racers to watch in the individual medal category.
The duo is also expected to lead their respective team assaults to the champion's row. Of course, a cast of other past and present bike aces are also expected to crowd the lanes from the start to the finish.
Rivas said reigning tour champion Victor Espiritu and two-time tour titleist Bernard Luzon are still on the go with performances to match. A total of P375,000 is up for grabs. I am darn sure that our fair city will be the "cup of coffee," for sports lovers, athletes and sportsmen while they watch, follow or monitor the proceedings of the bikefest.
Of course, beautiful Baguio will again be in the limelight as the finish line for the prestigious sportsfest.
To the racers, officials and organizers of the special event, please be reminded that Baguio is yours and mine. It's ours! After all, Baguio is the Summer Capital of the Philippines! It's the Filipinos' very own from top of Batanes down to war-torn Jolo. Let's all enjoy it! It's the only one we've got! Welcome at mabuhay tayong lahat!
Who is this guy Eric Celino Spoelstra? All of a sudden he breaks into the world NBA basketball. Nope, not as cager but as the new head coach of Miami Heat replacing Pat Riley who resigned from his coaching chores recently.
With pardonable pride Spoelstra, 37 is the first Fil-Am NBA coach. Okay ha! With the feat, the Pinoy is making inroads in America's biggest, internationally popular and famed basketball arena.
At his age and time, "Eric" is also the youngest current NBA team coach. He has been with the Heat staff for at least 13 long years. He was also a basketball star during his college years at the University of Portland.
He owns a checkered experience and recently in basketball. Among others, Eric was a key staffer in the video team and a caging talent scout and headed the Heat's individual player development program. He also served as head coach for three summer leagues for the Heat. What a remarkable record! He also honed the shooting skills of star guard Dwyane Wade.
With "Eric" at the helm, Heat is expected to improve its lackluster performance in the NBA this season. Again, here's a resounding hurray for Eric whose mother's roots are from San Pablo, Laguna.
His father Jon is an Irish-Dutch a longtime NBA executive with several NBA teams.
Baguio boy car racing national champion Carlos Anton is certainly a star to watch with a performance to match. Only a few days ago, he was, for the fourth time supreme in the Fourth 2008 Hillclimb Series staged in Barangay Diwa, Pilar, Bataan.
He topped the 4.2 kilometer course aboard his mighty Honda CRX with a clocking of 2 minutes 40:39 seconds, a good 42.99 seconds ahead against his worthy opponent Carlo Garcia. He has his fingers crossed at the moment, aiming to win the last two legs of the hillclimb series. Carlos is the 2007 defending champion.
Several weeks ago, our businessman car- racing ace sizzled to victory in the Benguet Hillclimb Series held at Ambuklao Road.
Car racing is a tourism sport, which can attract thousands of spectators and racers. Right now, there is a ban on car racing activities in the city due to a race accident, which happened here years back.
Maybe its time we (the City Council) re-study the sport and its safeguards and open up the floodgate for its return to the city.
Carlos is clamoring and is more than willing to help along this endeavor and lend his managerial and technical expertise. At no cost! We talk about the matter for several times, hoping and praying that the ban on car racing be lifted sooner or later. Car racing from any perspective is a major come-on tourism boaster!
Another media colleague is now resting peacefully in the eternal vineyard of our Creator. Florentino Lardizabal Jr., a key broadcaster from RPN-DzBS Radio Station died last Monday at the Baguio General Hospital where he was rushed after experiencing severe headaches according to his better half Jovy.
He died of hemorrhage, she said.
He was on his way to his work when pain got the best of "Lakay Tinong," as we fondly know him. I will always remember him as one of the few radio personalities in the city who grew up in the ranks through hardwork, dedication and nobility of purpose.
I recalled, he started out as a Bombo Radyo news writer and reporter. He joined RPN-DzBS as an anchorman in 1998 where he demonstrated and climbed the ranks, through merit.
That's Tino to me. He was an active member of the Fil-Am golf coverage team for at least eight long years until we left the sport some two years ago. The BCBC bandwagon will dearly miss him, too.
He was vice president for broadcast. He left behind his loving and beautiful family: Von Charles, 16; Yvonne, 10; Trisha Loren, and Florentino III their one-year and four month old baby. And of course, his caring and charming wife Jovy.
Good bye friend, thank you for caring and sharing your talent and goodness in the name of journalism and public service.
