Army wards off Buhi foes, bags Cobra regatta crown

PHILIPPINE Army staved off another strong challenge by Lake Buhi en route to sweeping the fourth leg and overall men’s team honors in the Cobra Energy Drink Regatta national finals held recently at the Manila Bay.

The Army rowers broke loose from their travel-weary Lake Buhi rivals in the last 100 meters to rule the 300-meter standard boat race in one minute and 10.12 seconds.

The Buhi paddlers, who arrived a few hours before the race after a 12-hour, non-stop road trip from the lakeshore town of Buhi, Camarines Sur, still managed to finish a close second (1:11.44) while newcomer Philippine Coast Guard was third (1:13.61) in the event organized by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation.

But the Buhi squad didn’t leave home empty-handed, copping first place in the mixed division with a time of 1:15.54, with Manila Ocean Park (1:18.85) and Triton (1:19.26) taking runner-up and third spots, respectively, in the Cobra-sponsored competition.

Triton A ruled the women’s competition in 1:35.34, Philippine Coast Guard placed second (1:36.24) and De La Salle University third (1:42.58)) in the last dragon boat racing event of the year also backed by Smart, Cetaphil, Ramada Manila Central and Sunlife Financial.

“We would like to thank all the rowers in making this a successful regatta series and Cobra Energy Drink for supporting our event,” said PDBF president Marcia Cristobal.

Cristobal added that based on the superb showing of the Buhi paddlers, the PDBF might consider some of them for international competitions.

Army bagged the overall team crown with 530 points while Onslaught (290) was second.

Triton took the women’s overall plum with 290 points.