First Day Lives up to Hype: Truly a ‘Battle of Champions’!!!

The first day of hostilities in the 2nd Cobra – PDBF International Club Crew Challenge in Bohol showed us the high standards of Philippine Dragon Boating as the heavyweight dragons checked in, breathed fire and parried paddles.

Lake Buhi loomed dominant in the first two long distance races, the 2km open and mixed events. Coast Guard upended their string with twin wins of their own in the 200m mixed and women’s category. Army then vindicated itself by copping the showcase 200m open division.

The pleasant surprise of the tourney were the hometown Bohol teams which surprised everyone by contending in some of the races, despite its being barely 2 months old in the sport. FSUU, a team of students from Butuan City, was the darling of the crowd, providing the younger, fresher faces in the crowd.

Paddles up!!!

Results of yesterday’s final events:

2km Open:
1. Lake Buhi – 9:13.48
2. Army – 9:33.11
3. Navy – 9:48.81
4. Onslaught – 10:03.07

2km Mixed:
1. Lake Buhi – 9:33.14
2. Coast Guard – 9:36.45
3. Navy – 9:41.45
4. Triton A – 10:14.89

200m Open:
1. Army – 41.27
2. Lake Buhi – 43.32
3. Navy – 44.37
4. Bohol Paddlers – 54.06

200m Mixed:
1. Coast Guard – 44.52
2. Lake Buhi – 45.94
3. Navy – 48.24
4. Triton A – 50.44

200m women’s small boat:
1. Coast Guard – 58.50
2. Navy – 58.76
3. Triton A – 59.19
4. Bohol Paddlers – 1:05.60

Smart 200m open small boat:
1. Army – 50.36
2. Navy – 50.63
3. Lake Buhi – 51.87
4. Onslaught – 52.60

The 2nd Cobra – PDBF International Club Crew Challenge was produced by the Provincial Government of Bohol, the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, and Tapok Tapok Bol-anon; with Cobra, Philex, Smart Communications and Cetaphil. Co-producing the event were Lj Lumayag of K & N Productions, Bohol Paddlers Association, and the municipalities of Dauis and Maribojoc, Rotary Tagbilaran and Jaycees Bohol.

The major sponsors were: Bluewater Panglao, Bellevue Hotel, First Consolidated Bank, TIEZA, Zoocolate Thrills, and Dep Comm Danny Lim. Other sponsors include: DOT, Oishi, 2Go, AMR, Starlite, Eskaya, Ramasola Studios, Truckworld, Island Prints and Cong Rene Relampagos.

The media partners include: the Manila Bulletin, Sports Digest, Philippine Star, Business Mirror, TV5, Solar Sports, Sports Unlimited, BCCTV, Bohol Chronicle, DYRD and DZRH.

Watch the second day of the ‘Battle of Champions’ at the 2nd Cobra-PDBF International Club Crew Challenge in Dauis, Bohol tomorrow, April 29, truly a once-in-a-lifetime treat!