Foreign cyclists rule downhill event in ASEAN Cup

CEBU, Philippines - Visiting cyclists from Malaysia and Indonesia splits gold in the elite division of the downhill competition of the 2014 ASEAN Mountainbike Cup-Series 1 at the treacherous Manlayag-Patag race course in Danao City.

Indonesian Agung Fambundi of Team ISSI Lubuk Linggau came out the fastest in the men’s class after he completed the 2.07 kilometer downhill course.

The country’s bet Joey Barba settled for the silver medal with a time of 3:29.13, seven milliseconds behind Fambundi.

"Pirting sayanga.Gamay ra gyud kaayo mi og ligas sa Indonesian. But at least akong nabuhat akong pwede buhaton," said the Dumaguete-native Barba.

Joey's cousin, Eleazar nabbed the bronze medal with 3:30.84, while Scott Christian Remi placed fourth with 3:34.81 as Malaysian Adam Ahmed under Sketchy Racing (3:35.12).

In the distaff side, Malaysian Queenelisi Ligadu proved to be too much for Pinay cyclist Maria Saiata Alzate who claimed the silver medal. Ligadu finished the race in 5:32.58 clocking, while the latter registered a time of 5:58.89.

In the men’s junior, PNG gold medalist John Derick Farr (3:46.27) of PRIMA/Isuzu Dmax and Matt Boy Barba (3:54.64) posted a 1-2 finish, while Malaysian Alvin Leong Yui Chung (4:01.92) placed third.

John Derick Farr's father, Frederick lorded it over in the men's masters' B with 3:45.17 clocking, followed by Singaporean Herman Mann with 3:50.82 as Eugenio Malabanan settled for third with 3:56.05.

Former national team member and now U.S-based Michael Borja returns to Danao in style after dominating the master's A and master's A and B category.

Borja posted 3:40.86 beating Rafael Nolasco in second with 3:41.77 as Jessie Sanchez of OZ Racing-Kokonut came out third with 3:46.06. (FREEMAN)