Buncio, Fernando clash for pivotal underbone win

MANILA, Philippines - The gripping battle between Superbikes champ Maico Buncio of YRS-Elf Moto Oil and Fil-Japanese Masato Fernando spices up the fifth and penultimate leg of the 2009 Magnolia Health Tea Philippine Underbone King Championships today at the Carmona Circuit Philippines in Carmona, Cavite.

Only a single point separates Buncio and Fernando as they dispute solo leadership in the premier 150cc Open class of this event sanctioned by the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association (NAMSSA) and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Magnolia Health Tea, Aeromed, Inside Racing and Pagcor.

Buncio is on top with 178 points while Fernando is close behind with 177. The winner gains the edge in the final race for the coveted Underbone King plum at the Clark International Raceway next month.

Buncio is looking for his second motorcyle racing crown but Fernando will go all out in a devil-may-care effort to wrest his first career title.

Joining them in the star-studded field are reigning Underbone King Jaime Barcial, former Underbone King Johnlery Enriquez and Suzuki teammate Paul Mark Doblada, Noel de Mesa and Mark Barcial.

Buncio also hopes to firm up his lead in the 130cc Open class where he tallies 150 points in a field that includes Anthony Roman, Danny Daquigan, Marvin Mangulabnan, Ivan Santiago and Fernando.

Likewise, the battle of manufacturer brands heats up as Suzuki’s Enriquez and Doblada try to reaffirm their supremacy against Honda’s Herbert Lopez and Bryan “Spark” Ortile in the 115cc Open class.

Doblada and Enriquez hold the top two spots with 175 and 162 points, respectively, while Lopez and Ortile are not far behind in third and fourth with 140 and 137, respectively.

While the two have to work as a team in the 115cc Open, Doblada and Enriquez are bitter rivals in the 115cc Sports Production class where Doblada (144 points) is way ahead of Enriquez (116).

Trailing them are Jeff Chan (112) and Anthony Roman (98) with Dexter Daquigan, Nino Fabian, Buncio, Dashi Watanabe, Jaime and Mark Barcial and Fernando out to get in their way.

Also favored in the event are Paolo Labador who’s eyeing another crucial win over Michael Altamira, Michael Cortez, Cris Frianesa, and Marlon Arseo; and KC Ng who’s seeking his second straight win over Ivan Santiago, Paul Pangilinan, Josh Reuben Tan and Roger Hu in the 180cc Automatic Scooter 4-Stroke class

Details: Log on at www.batangasracingcircuit.com or call up the Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 817-2241, 729-5365 or fax 815-1241.