Bornok Mangosong leads the way in the Pro Open category at MX Messiah Fairgrounds in Taytay, Rizal. INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ
With the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) unable to compete due to an out-of-town race in Quirino province, Davao-pride Rhowell Matias Mangosong IV deemed it proper to hug the spotlight and vault himself into contention for overall supremacy in the highly-popular Diamond Motor Supercross series.
Popularly known in the topsy-turvy world of racing as Bornok, the 25-year-old Yamaha and Team Unstoppable Athletes Mindanao ace, dominated the elite pro open production last Saturday before a wildly-cheering crowd which braved the energy-sapping heat at the Mx Messiah Fairgrounds in Taytay, Rizal.
The ladies class also produced a new winner as Sonnie Quiana Reyes, an incoming seventh grader at St.Paul School in Bocaue, Bulacan showed superb riding in repulsing the challenge of Jasmin Jao. Third place went to Khim Nicole Yumul.
Two-leg winner Pia Gabriel was unable to compete due to a previous commitment.
‘‘My idol is Ate Pia,’’ said Quiana, a honor student and resident of Barangay Catmon in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
Her brother Wenson, 7, also hugged the limelight after topping the 65 and 85 cc classes for kids. Wenson emerged overall champion in the 50 and 65cc categorieslast year.
Mangosong credited his longtime mechanic Aikee Mapa for his domination.
‘‘The big bosses decided to bring Aikee here from Davao to help us,’’ said Mangosong, who finished second to the 42-year-old Aguilar in the first two legs of the series sponsored by Diamond Motors Corporation and supported by Dunlop Tires, Dickies, Tireshakk, Yamaha Motor Philippines, Go Pro Philippines, PTT Philippines Corporation, DC Shoes Philippines, Coffee Grounds and Xtreme Adrenaline Sports Entertainment Co.
Mangosong said Mapa made adjustments on his Yamaha YZ 450F which made it perfect to negotiated the various turns and jumps of the track.
He also expressed confidence that he can give Aguilar a good fight in the 4th leg scheduled on May 13.
With Mangosong far ahead, focus shifted on the heated battle for second place between JC Rellosa of Iriga, Camarines Sur and Nueva Ecija’s Jherick Mitra of 8Seven Racing Team.
Rellosa eventually salvaged second when the 21-year-old Mitra lost his speed after a flat rear tire in the 16th lap.
The 25-year old Rellosa said he attacked in the final four laps after noticing that the spirited Mitra could no longer made the triple jumps.
Despite being bothered by a serious case of cold, Rellosa poured it all to the delight of the crowd.
Mitra, who like Rellosa, looked dead-tired after the race, said having a flat tire was very unfortunate amid a very exciting race.
‘‘T’was a tight battle and I nearly got second place. I’ll just come back in the next leg,’’said Mitra, regarded as one of the rising stars of the sport.