PHILIPPINE Navy found a new worthy rival in upset-conscious Triton A, needing to dig deep into its bag of tricks to rule the open and mixed standard events, highlighting a thrilling and action-packed third leg of the Cherifer Premium-PDBF Dragon Boat Regatta at the Manila Bay overlooking the Baywalk in Manila last weekend.
With the Philippine Coast Guard Dragon Boat Team unable to compete due to compulsory training of its members, the Philippine Army Dragon Warriors and Philippine Air Force Dragon Boat Team similarly indisposed, the Navy paddlers were expected to have a breezy time, but found the Triton A bets quite a challenge in the races sponsored by Cherifer and organized by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation.
They needed one big push in the last 25 meters in topping the 300-meter open division in one minute and 9.65 seconds of the competition also backed by Manila Ocean Park, Pepero, Mogu Mogu, Sogo, Rolls Republic, Rexona, Nivea and Native Plate.
The battle for second place was just as keen, with Bruins surging to the finish line in the last 10 meters to share runner-up honors with Triton A, both teams clocking identical times of 1:10.95 in the meet also backed by the Manila city government led by Mayor Joseph Estrada, Tent City and Soundfreak.
After reviewing the video tape replay at the finish line several times, official timers awarded Triton A and the Bruins both joint second place since it was too close to call in favor of either squad in the event held under near ideal conditions.
The Triton A campaigners, however, did not leave home empty-handed as they took the championship trophy in the women’s division in 2:59.74, relegating Navy (3:02.62) and RCP (3:06.56) to second and third places, respectively.
There was a slight delay in between races as the organizers cleared the area of water hyacinths that drifted inshore over the competition venue to ensure the safety of the participating squads.
“We would like to thank the squads that saw action the third leg of the Cherifer Premium-PDBF Regatta despite the fact we were nearing All Saints Day,” noted PDBF secretary Jen Escueta. “We are also glad that Triton A has vastly improved and is emerging as threat to our military teams. We can look forward to an even huge field when the PDBF holds the fourth and final leg of the race in December.”
Scheduled for Dec. 10 also at the Manila Bay, the Cherifer Premium-PDBF Dragon Boat Regatta last leg will decide the overall champions in the women, mixed standard and open divisions over the four-stage series.