Emata’s feat in Mt. Everest elates Davao

 

By Ben Arche

 

DAVAO City--The city government here and its Office of the Sports Development are proud with the success of Erwin Emata now known as the second Filipino to reach the world’s highest peak of Mt. Everest with a height of 29,035 feet above sea level.

 

In a statement, city sports coordinator Christopher Go said Emata’s feat is first for a Davaoeño in the field of mountain climbing.

 

“We have witnessed the achievements of Davaoeña Shiela Mae Perez in the 23rd SEA Games, and the rise of Davaoeño William Ramirez as chair of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).  But Emata’s conquest of Mt. Everest has proved the Davaeño’s desire to be the best in every field,” Go said.

 

Following Leo Oracion to become the first Filipino to conquer Mt. Everest, Butch Sebastian, team leader of the First Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition (FPMEE) announced Thursday afternoon that Emata has also reached the summit four hours ahead of the schedule.

 

Emata, 32, started climbing from Camp 4 at 9:45 p.m. Nepal time Wednesday (11:45 p.m. Manila) and arrived at the peak at 5:34 a.m. (Nepal).  Emata and Oracion

 

Oracion, 32, of Lucban, Quezon became the first Filipino to conquer the coldest mountain of the world after 17 hours journey from Camp 4 (the final base) at 26,000 feet.

 

Go said the bravery of Emata would serve as inspiration to all Davaoeños to stand up even in the darkest and perilous situation.  He recognized Emata as Davao’s newest hero in sports.

 

City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has been preparing a hero’s welcome for Emata, who will be going home soon from their Mt. Everest expedition.

 

 

 

Second Adventure race set June 3

 

By Lito Rulona

 

EXPERIENCE that exciting thrills and rush of adrenaline once more which only a Cagayan de Oro Adventure Race can cause.

 

This after, organizers of the Cagayan de Oro Adventure Race invites adventure sports enthusiasts in Cagayan de Oro and the rest of the country to join the 2nd Cagayan de Oro Adventure Race on June 3, this year.

 

Race director Eric Bontuyan said  that the  2nd Adventure Race is a 12-hour sun-up to sun-down mountain bike orienteering competition that will take adventure sports enthusiasts to breath-taking eco-tourism destinations, adventure activities, festive sites, historical places and landmark places in Cagayan de Oro.

 

The race is open to all adventure sports enthusiasts who are at least 16 years of age, physically and mentally fit, such as those members of mountain/cross country bike associations, big bikers, mountaineering groups, student groups, government employees, non-government organizations, civic organizations, professional associations and private companies.

 

Bontuyan added that competing teams must be composed of three members with one member belonging to the opposite sex. Each team must pay a registration fee of P1,000.

 

The 2nd Cagayan de Oro Adventure Race aims to promote Cagayan de Oro as the Adventure Capital of the Philippines, showcase the city’s best products, food and destinations, as well as encourage Cagayanons to get actively involved in adventure sports.

 

The 2nd Cagayan de Oro Adventure Race is presented by Columbia Sportswear Company, Cagayan de Oro Whitewater Rafting Adventure and co-presented by the the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, Department of Tourism-10, Converse, and Park Café and Images.

 

Adventure sports enthusiasts who would like to  join the 2nd Adventure Race may inquire from the Viajero Outdoor Center along Hayes Street; Sinkhole Incorporated along President Aguinaldo.

 

Camiguin boxer fights for

WBC crown in S. Africa

 

By Lito Rulona

 

CAMIGUIN-native Dexter Delada will try to win for RWS Stable a second WBC International title by fighting for the vacant lightweight title against South Africa’s super-featherweight king Ali Funeka on May 27 in East London, South Africa.

 

Funeka holds an impressive 24-1-2 win-loss-draw record with 20 wins coming by way of knockout. His latest fight was a TKO win in the eighth round over Themba Tshicila last December in Funeka’s fifth title defense since winning it in February 2004.

 

                                                    Lone defeat

 

Mzonke Fana, who handed Randy Suico his first pro career defeat in their WBC superfeatherweight eliminator in April 2004, is the lone boxer to have defeated Funeka in July 2002.

 

It will be a test of Delada’s heart and toughness as Funeka, who had successfully defended his belt all by knockout, is raring to break into the top 15 of the flyweight division whose title is currently held by Diego Corrales.

 

Delada is ripe for a world challenge. He carries a respectable 15-2 record with 10 KOs.

 

                                           Knockout

 

Although Delada lost via fourth-round knockout to veteran Fernando Montilla for the RP lightweight title, Delada is expected to bring the fight to Funeka and go for a knockout as Funeka will most likely be a sure winner if the fight goes the distance.

 

Delada picked a hard-earned unanimous decision win over journeyman Jaime Acerda last March 4 at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex, in the same card where Pumar earned the right to fight for the WBC International title.

 

Delada, a Rex “Wakee” Salud Stable stalwart seeks to follow in the footsteps of WBC International mini-flyweight champion Gabriel “Bon-Bon” Pumar.

 

Pumar scored a seventh-round TKO win to snatch the WBC International 105-pound title from the erstwhile undefeated Tshepo Lefele in South Africa. with wire reports

 

 

Never say die for Misor, Gensan in Game 3

 

GENERAL Santos City — The second berth in the Mindanao Division Finals will be up for grabs today as host PacMan-GenSan and Pryce Pharma-MisOr clash in the deciding Game 3 of their series in the ML Kwarta Padala Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) here.

 

Pryce Pharma drew first blood in the series as it ambushed PacMan of boxing idol Manny Pacquiao, 64-51, last May 4 in General Santos.

 

But PacMan returned the favor at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro three days later by scoring a 72-64 victory that set up the the stage for the dukeout in the league supported by ML Kwarta Padala, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Nature’s Spring Drinking Water, Panasonic, Molten and Sulpicio Lines.

 

PacMan coach Ramon Pido must also come up with a concerted offensive effort to prevail over the hot shooting Pryce Parma squad.

 

The other semis pitting the Iligan Archangels and Montaña Pawnshop-Davao is also tied at 1-1. The winner in both matches will face in a best-of-3 finals.

 

Meanwhile, the Mantawi Traders ended their elimination round campaign on a high note by beating Cebu Landmaster-Toledo, 75-72, at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex Thursday night.

 

 

Maguindanao caps Armm Palaro ’06 title

 

MAGUINDANAO province emerged as the overall champion in the recently concluded 2006 Palarong Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (ARMMAA).

 

Maguindanao garnered overall points of 314 followed by Sulu I with 274 points and Basilan with 263 points. The three-day athletic meet was held in Buluan, Maguindanao on April 25-27.

 

The athletic delegation from Basilan topped the elementary level, bagging a total of 157 points, Maguindanao on second with 132 points closely followed by Sulu 1 with 131 points. However, Maguindanao bested the rest of the delegations in the secondary level, winning 182 points followed by Sulu I with 143 points and Basilan with 106 points.

 

Department of Education (DepEd)-ARMM Officer-in-Charge Dr. Udtog Kawit said that the athletic meet was very successful.

 

He thanked all the DepEd officials, Governors and Mayors, especially Mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangungudatu of the host municipality of Buluan for their support to the activity Dr. Kawit is likewise very grateful to Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan for his all-out support to this year’s Palarong ARMMAA.

 

The support of Governor Ampatuan made it possible for the athletic meet to receive appropriate funding. He also formally led the official opening of the palaro. Some 400 athletes and officiating officials will represent ARMM in the Palarong Pambansa on May 6 in Naga City.