Basirgo upsets Surban in Padyak Pinoy elims

Cebuano Albert Basirgo spoiled Niño Surban’s bid in the elimination round of the Tour Pilipinas-Padyak Pinoy after topping yesterday’s massed-start race from the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City reclamation area to Bogo and back.

Basirgo staged a brave attack on Surban, who is supported by the Danao City Sports Commission and Nagashima, only meters away from the finishing line to win the event. Early in the race, Surban and two other Cebuanos managed to maintain a good lead from the start up to the turning point in Bogo.

Basirgo, however, can not celebrate yet as only 16 of the 30 entries will make it to the final cut to compose the two teams of the Visayas and Mindanao region.

In today’s individual time trial from Danao to Sogod and back, Basirgo is looking on maintaining an average speed of 40 kilometers per hour.

And when Basirgo makes the cut, this will be his first tour. Surban settled second with the same clocking as Basirgo of 5:13:42.21 along with the third placer, the 3-time Tour campaigner, Robert Villaver.

Toledo’s Nilo Barbalose placed fourth with a time of 5:24:31.57 and Davao’s Dexter Nonato came out fifth, the best place out of towners, in 5:24:31.57.

The sixth to tenth placers of the 188-kilometer race were Randy Carbonera (5:26:02.02), Almer Camay (5:27:29.62), John Paul Baco [s.T (same time)], Adonis Bohol (s.T) and Earl Vince Cadampog (5:32:03.38), respectively.

The other qualifiers in today’s race are Richard Navarro (5:38:08.21), Dioscoro Genonsalao Jr. (s.T), Glen Ybañez (s.T), Jay Bod Pacnanawon (s.T), Filomeno Amago (s.T), Rey Dumandan (s.T),John Paul Casuyon (s.T), Marcial Catanggui (5:43:57.85), Tots Tonido (s.T), Jerry Dumandan (s.T), Arnel Losaria (s.T), Telen Menson (5:50:35:13), Micahel Pantonial (5:51:39.27), Allan Garcia (s.T), Hilario Ladra (s.T), Rex Camariñas (s.T), Gino Basirgo (s.T), Norman Navarro (s.T), Robertly Galinato (5:54:11.74) and Gritel Patadilla (6:01:25.25). — Caecent No-ot-Magsumbol with Marigold P. Lebumfacil