BAGUIO -- In his first and only cycling race ever in the Philippines, Mar Van Baluyut quickly scored a win.
The San Jose, Tarlac, who is now based in Rome, took the gold in the Batang Pinoy circuit cycling race here on Tuesday.
Baluyut, whose father Villamor is a former national team cyclist, bettered his fellow boy 14-15 category competitors after five laps around the city proper.
"Maganda ang pakiramdam niya. Masayang-masaya siya," said the older Baluyut, who is acting as his son's coach.
While he may be a rookie in the Philippine cycling scene, Mar Van Baluyut has already been racing in Italy, but with the huge differences on how the sport is being played here and abroad, Villamor volunteered to steer his son.
"Ang laro daw sa Italya, parang sa Tour De France. Dito, hindi. Kanya-kanya. Talagang banatan nang banatan hanggang mawasak. Ang ginamit naming strategy, Philippine strategy, yung ginagamit namin dati sa Philippine team," the older Baluyut bared his son's winning formula.
Mar Baluyut will return on Wednesday for the mass start race, and he will also participate in the individual time trial event on Thursday.
Joseph Quirino of Malaybalay took the silver, while Justin Valerio of Pangasinan went home with the bronze.
On the distaff side, Nicole Del Rosario of Cebu Province edged Lapu-Lapu's Moira Erediano (silver) and Cebu City's Catherine Yu (bronze) for the gold.
On the other hand, John Armendez (gold) and Adrian Nicolas (silver) gave Pangasinan a 1-2 finish in the boys 12-13 category. Lawrence Uy of Tandag took the bronze.
Armendez's younger brother Mark then took the silver in the 9-11 boys race, which was won by Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya native John Paul Jallorina.
Also, Cebu Province's Jeanna Cañete of Cebu Province took the gold in the girls 12-13 race with Cebu City's Julianna Loberanis taking the silver and Talisay's Kendra Cabando cropping the bronze. (PNA)
