Pagcor skipper climbs up tour leader board

VIGAN — The gate of this city rich in heritage and history opened wide enough for a charging Rhyan Tanguilig and the result saw the PagcorSports skipper making the most significant climb so far in the overall individual classification of the Tour Pilipinas 2003.

But the humble 24-year-old from Aritao, Nueva Viscaya, where cycling great Carlo Guieb also hails, downplayed his rise up the ladder and at the same time dismissed any hype about him, a non-national cyclist, being pitted against the illustrious Nationals.

No pressure at all, said Tanguilig, about a query bordering on a rumor the Nationals are focused at dominating the top 10 of the overall individual classification.

Wala ho akong pressure dahil hindi naman ako national rider, he said. "Di gaya nila [national team members], malakas ang pressure kasi year-round ang training nila samantalang ako naudlot ng apat na taon."

Tanguilig was the Best Young Rider in the 1998 Centennial Tour. He was only 19 then when he made his mark that led to many dubbing him as the second coming of the back-to-back champion Guieb.

From fourth overall in the eighth stage, Tanguilig breathed down Merculio Ramos and is now a minute and 40 seconds behind the yellow jersey. He was so close to grabbing the symbol of the overall leader but his being second overall with six stages remaining is something PagcorSports coach Cesar Lobramonte described as more ideal.

"Tama lang na hindi pa siya [Tanguilig] yellow. Mahirap pang hawakan ang overall sa sitwasyon ngayon," said Lobramonte.

The news about Tanguilig‚s charge, which is now on its second straight day, reaped Pagcor chairman Ephraim Genuino’s praises that he immediately phoned the PagcorSports riders through team manager Luis Carlos and told them to keep up the good work.