Team Davao thanks sponsors, to prepare early for next year’s title defense
DAVAO CITY — Team Davao members, winner of the Carrera Habagat Bucas Grande-Siargao Island Traverse last October 22 to 26, thanked their sponsors for being instrumental to their victory.
The squad expressed appreciation to Maricel Sambo who volunteered to drive them from Davao to Surigao for six hours using her own Isuzu Crosswind and team backers included Wendel Adlao of Pixmaker, Edge Outdoor, Higher Ground, Councilors April Marie Dayap, Leo Avila and Edgar Ibuyan, Mulatto, Justine Marie del Rosario, Bagani Evasco, Neko del Rosario, Anthea Kuehnel and Triathlon Association of Davao President Marites del Rosario.
Team captain Paulo Dino Ouano said that they will start preparing early to defend their title that includes preparation of their logistics.
“We have a hard time finding sponsors, so we will prepare early,” said Ouano on Tuesday night’s victory party at the Banca ni Kuya Ed Restaurant in Lanang.
Team Davao finished the four-day race in just three days, beating defending champion Cebu.
“When we arrived there in Surigao, we were the underdogs but we did not relax,” said team member Jeffer Jatico.
Leslie Herrero, the 18-year-old former member of the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Team, capitalized on her experience and contributed a lot to the victory.
Keith James Argones said the victory surprised the other teams but cited that they studied well their map and the game plan worked.
Ouano said he intends to keep the same team when they defending their title next year. The other squad members were Arvi Kane Abejuela and Eric John Luna.
Mo is based in Davao City.
He is a member of the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA), which is affiliated with the Manila-based Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA).
He files news stories for the Manila Standard Today and sports stories for the Mindanao Insider Daily.
Mo recently joined The Edge Davao, a weekly business and investment newspaper, as its Games' Section Head.
