Hardly finding any challenge from his closest rivals, Leongson nailed the expert open category for the fourth time in as many months to pull away in the overall standings and move on the threshold of bagging his second national title in nine years.
"I’m very happy at this point. I just have to be a little careful now and not take things lightly with only three legs left," said Leongson. "But I like my chances now."
The recent victory worth 40 points gave Leongson, who hails from Taytay, Rizal, a runaway score of 151 points out of a possible 160 with only three legs left in the seven-part series organized by Hartebeest Entertainment Corp. in cooperation with KIDS (Kabataang Iwas sa Droga sa Tulong ng Sports) Foundation.
Leongson’s Shell-Yamaha teammate and seven-time champion Jovie Saulog is a far second overall with 126 points.
Rounding out the top five riders in the overall standings are Popeye Rubi and Weng Yapparcon, also of Shell-Yamaha, and Bebet dela Cruz of Caltex-KTM. Rubi has 118 points, Yapparcon 102 and Dela Cruz 75.
Defending champion Glen Aguilar of Caltex-KTM is too far behind in the overall standings to even pose a threat to Leongson.
In the pro 125, Saulong is leading the way with 151 points. Other Shell-Yamaha winners in Palawan were Sam Tamayo in the open production and Carlo Leongson in the executive class.
The other members of the Shell-Yamaha team are Gregorio "Yoyong" Buncio, team consultant; Ronelo Baclagan, finance officer; and Eusebio Arevalo, Eduardo Arevalo and Juanito Manalo, mechanics.