PH Dragon Boat Team overcomes favorites, tops Russia tilt

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Philippine Dragon Boat Team fought off jetlag and endured  frigid weather to become world champions again.

The Filipino paddlers ruled the 20-seater senior mixed 500-meter finals to topple the best teams on the planet in the ongoing ICF World Dragon Boat Championships in Moscow, Russia.

They crossed the line in one minute and 55 seconds, nipping favorites Russia, Thailand and Ukraine by a split second on the cool waters of Krylatskoe, the Olympic racing course of the host country.

It was a big rebound for the Pinoys from a silver medal in the 10-seater junior mixed 500 meters behind Russia and the bronze in the 10-seater senior mixed 500 meters.

Canoe-kayak specialists Hermie Macaranas and Ojay Fuentes led the seasoned cast of Filipino paddlers who recently won two gold medals in a highly competitive meet in Taiwan.

“We’re tired because of the long trip and the 10-degree temperature even made it harder for us,” said head coach Len Escollante, who took care of the team along with Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation president Jonne Go, secretary general Lea Ruanto and coach Diomedes Manalo.

Escollante said they would vie for gold medals in three more events, two of them in the finale of the 10-seater junior and senior mixed 2,000 meters.

After another remarkable race on the world stage, the Filipino paddlers will be in high spirits when the country hosts the Asian Championships in Puerto Princesa two months from now.

Other members of the team are Sheryl Caang, Rosalyn Esguerra, John Frias, Alex Generalo, Glaiza Liwag, Oliver Manaig, Reymart Nevado, Daniel Ortega, Jonathan Ruiz, Christian Urzo and siblings Paul and Michael Silencio.

Also joining the squad were Robin Santos, Angela Avanila, Patricia Bustamante, Jordan De Guia, Maribeth Caranto, Fernan Dungan, Franc Feliciano, Rea Glore, Roger Masbate, Fe Niuda, Rhea Roa and Robin Santos./rga