DAVAO'S own Ronnie Urdaneta finished fifth in the Asean Mountain Bike (MTB) Cup 2014 yesterday in Danao, Cebu City.
The 22-year-old raced in the open category mountain bike race, finishing behind a Cebuano rider, Irish Von Barrientos of Kidapawan team, John Earl Sagaraino of Butuan, and a biker from Iloilo, who were in first to fourth place, respectively.
Urdaneta said that he did not expect to be in the t op 5 since there were many good bikers, but he is thankful that his hard work paid off.
"Dako kayo akong pasalamat kay naapil ko sa top 5, wala ko nag-expect kay daghan mi naglumba gipaningkamotan lang gyud nako, (I'm very thankful for making it into the top 5. I wasn't expecting this since there were so many of us in the race, but I just did the best I could,)" Urdaneta said in a phone interview.
Urdaneta added that the next competition he will join is to be held in Koronadal from July 12-13.
Team Panzer Davao's riders, meanwhile, were not able to join the 19-above downhill event. Andre Buco's bike sustained a mechanical problem while Michael Roy Griño was not able to join the the race due to sustaining an injury one day before the race.
In an interview with Panzer Coach Allan Jacob Nabong over the phone, he said, "Naka run ta sa seeding tim pero ang problema kay na-busted ang tire and then nagka-hairline crack ang lower leg sa front suspension mao wa niya mahuman ang race unya si Michael kay nadisgrasya pero okay nasiya. (We were able to make a run with the seeding teams but (the bike of Buco) the tire got busted and the lower leg of the front suspension had a hairline crack, so he wasn't able to finish the race. Michael was in an accident but he's okay now.)"
Nabong, however, is still happy that Davaoe¤os were stil able to make it to the tournament, "proud kokaynaagihapontaga-Dabawnasulodsa top 5. (I'm proud since we still have a Davaoeño in the top 5.)" (Marizz S. Robilla)