Faces in the Crowd (Part 2) – As the Gladiators Clash

After the endless practice sessions, the managers’ meeting, the presscon, the motorcade and the opening ceremony, it was time to pit paddles. On the morning of Sunday, April 28, the ‘Battle of Tagbilaran Strait’ commenced. The 2nd Cobra-PDBF International Club Crew Challenge was on! It was time to leave behind the smiles and the warm hugs. Time for the sea gladiators to put on their game faces. “We are off to do battle, gentlemen. May the best paddlers win!”

And after two grueling days of punishing sea action, the results bared out the following results:

2000M Open Standard:

1) Lake Buhi; 2) Army; 3) Navy; 4) Onslaught

2000M Mixed Standard:

1) Lake Buhi; 2) Coast Guard; 3) Navy; 4) Triton A

200M Open Standard:

1) Army; 2) Lake Buhi; 3) Navy; 4) Bohol Paddlers 1

200M Women Small Boat:

1) Coast Guard; 2) Navy; 3) Triton A; 4) Bohol Paddlers 2

200M Mixed Standard:

1) Coast Guard; 2) Lake Buhi; 3) Navy; 4) Triton A

200M Open Small Boat:

1) Army; 2) Navy; 3) Lake Buhi; 4) Onslaught

500M Open Standard:

1) Lake Buhi; 2) Army; 3) Coast Guard; 4) Bohol Crabhouse

500M Mixed Standard:

1) Coast Guard; 2) Navy; 3) Triton A; 4) Lake Buhi

500 Women Small Boat:

1) Coast Guard; 2) Triton A; 3) Triton B; 4) RCP Sea Dragons

Total Medal Tally:

Coast Guard – 4 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze

Lake Buhi – 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze, 1 4th place

Army – 2 Gold, 2 Silver

Navy – 4 Silver, 3 Bronze

Triton – 1 Silver, 3 Bronze, 2 4th place

Onslaught – 2 4th place

Bohol Paddlers – 2 4th place

Bohol Crabhouse – 1 4th place

RCP – 1 4th place

The Coast Guard threw a monkey wrench on the projected three-way battle between Lake Buhi, Army and Navy.  Expected to do battle with Triton for the 4th slot, Coast Guard maneuvered under the radar and instead, surprised the three favorites by snatching the championship. Kudos to the dynamic Ensign Mark Lim, and to Coach Anabs, who seems to have found a secret formula to mold winners.  May your tribe increase!!

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, JCI Bohol Kisses and JCI Chocolate Hills.

The major sponsors were: Bluewater Panglao, Bellevue Hotel, First Consolidated Bank, TIEZA, Zoocolate Thrills, and the Department of Tourism (DOT). Other sponsors include: Dep Comm Danny Lim, Oishi, 2Go, Adnama Mining, Hyundai, Danao Adventure Park, Starlite, Eskaya, Ramasola Studios, Truckworld, Lite Shipping, 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, Xync Magazine and Istorya.net.

Truly, the ‘Battle of Champions’ at the 2nd Cobra-PDBF International Club Crew Challenge in Dauis, Bohol last April 26-30 was a once-in-a-lifetime treat!