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Monday, September 12, 2005
Surban dominates
By Jade S. Violeta
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
DANAO CITY – It was another triumph for the Filipino mountainbikers yesterday in the final day of the 2005 Pre-Southeast Asian Games MTB Championships and 2005 Asian Invitational after Niño Surban clinched the overall championship in the cross-country race.
A native of Talamban, Cebu City, Surban completed the racecourse at the Cebu State College of Science and Technology-CIT Campus in Brgy. Sabang in two hours, seven minutes and 13.73 seconds to bag the title and exact vengeance on a former tormentor.
Settling for second was Thailand’s Masae Tawatchai, who defeated Surban in a recent international race in Bali, Indonesia.
Surban and Tawatchai were head-to-head in the first three laps of the six-lap event (6.3 kilometers per lap) before Surban broke away to clinch the crown. Tawatchai clocked 2:11.06.65.
“This win doesn’t assure me of a gold in the SEA Games, but this greatly improves my chances,” Surban told Sun.Star Cebu.
Surban said as part of their continuing preparation for the Seag, the RP team will again compete in the Tour of Thailand in October, the Tour of Taiwan in November and Davao’s “Way Kurat” race also in November.
Coming in third was another Filipino, March Aleonar, who clocked 2:15.10.50, while Singapore’s Hong Chun Tan (2:16.41.17) and Samuel Yang (2:20.27.55) completed the top five.
Tragedy, however, struck the RP Women’s team after the country’s top bet, Maritess Bitbit, failed to finish the competition after crashing midway in the course.
National team coach Renato Mier said Bitbit crashed in the downhill portion of the course, about three kilometers from the starting point, forcing her to quit the race. Bitbit was still under observation at press time.
Uncontested
With no strong rival to challenge her, Thailand’s Jantharat Jirapon coasted easily to the finish line first, clocking 1:41.26.63 in the four-lap race. Bitbit’s teammate, Nitzel Montebon, landed second in 2:01.29.32.
In the local competitions, former national team member Hilario Ladra bagged the gold in the Open/Elite category in 1:30.06.27, while Evic Largo (1:31.43.700), Earl Cadampog (1:41.32.73) and Jessie delos Santos (2:00.00.00) finished second, third and fourth, respectively.
Cebu Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (CebuSoc) chairman Jonathan Guardo and CebuSoc members Cheryl Ouano and Oscar Rodriguez Jr. and Philippine Sports commissioner Ritchie Garcia attended the awarding ceremonies.
Division winners
The top three winners in the other race categories: Junior division – Julius Diez (champion), Earl planta (2nd), Shemuel Dequito (3rd); Seniors – Joseph Diez (champion), Jonathan Umbac (2nd), Michael Borja (3rd); Beginners – Jemuel Moreno (champion), Edmar Borres (2nd), Jorge Bongo (3rd); Ladies – Jasmin Lasota (champion), Grace Bascon (2nd), Slavie Lou Makiling (3rd); Masters – Bejamin Fabra (champion), Domingo Camaongay (2nd), Ronilo Gorre (3rd); Veterans – Noel Famor (champion), Christopher Marzon (2nd), Jun Taneo (3rd); Veterans 2 – Filomeno Asignar (champion), Rey Delino (2nd), Joseph Almeña (3rd).
In the road-bike race, Jaybop Pagnanawon topped Group A with Robert Villaber and Antonio Nebria finishing second and third, respectively. The Group B top three were John Rey Jaca, Marnel Gabato and niel Duhaylungsod, while the Group C top three were Jonathan Simbajon, Michael Pantonial and Roy Carbonera. (JSV)
(September 12, 2005 issue)
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