Watanabe, Buncio share limelight in underbone

MANILA, Philippines -  Maico Buncio of YRS-Elf Moto Oil-Yamaha and Fil-Japanese Dashi Watanabe shared the limelight as they bagged two wins each in separate races recently in the fourth leg of the 2010 Philippine Underbone King Championship series at the Clark International Speedway .

The 20-year-old Buncio bagged his fourth straight win in the 150cc Open and his third straight win in the 130cc Open classes of this event sponsored by MTRT and Pagcor Sports and supported by Enercel Forte, Aeromed, Stoplight TV and Inside Racing Magazine.

Watanabe, 15, showed marked improvement as he bagged impressive victories in the MTRT 180cc Automatic Scooter and in the 115cc Open class against older and more experienced rivals.

Joining the winners’ circle was Marvin Mangulabnan who ruled the 115cc Super Stock division against newcomer Adriano Go and third placer Lance Garido.

Buncio bounced back from a third place finish in the pre-final of the 150cc Open as he quickly took the lead and outduelled Jaime Barcial going to the finish line. He wrapped up the six-lap race in seven minutes, 50.490 seconds, 0.177 of a second ahead of Barcial.

Mangulabnan checked in third while reigning Underbone King Masato Fernando and Paulo Labador ended fourth and fifth respectively.

The win fortified Buncio’s bid for the Underbone King crown with 185 points.

Later, he pulled a sweep of the Pre-Final and Final heats over runner-up Anthony Roman and third placer Marvin Mangulabnan to claim the 130cc Open crown.

Buncio actually topped the MTRT 180cc Automatic Scooter class but was stripped of the win due to technical infringement.

Watanabe took the honors in the 180cc Automatic Scooter clocking seven minutes, 32.544 seconds or a slim 0.021 seconds ahead of runner-up Cassey Ng.

Josh Reuben Tan took third while Ivan Santiago and Paul Pangilinan wound up fourth and fifth respectively.

But Watanabe’s maturity and determination was more exhibited in the 115cc Open class where he held strong up against Maico Buncio to compete the six-lap race in 7:31.969 or 0.167 of a second ahead of Buncio.

Anthony Roman made it third while Suzuki’s Paul Mark Doblada and Johnlery Enriquez checked in fourth and fifth.

For other details, interested parties may log on at www.batangasracingcircuit.com or contact the Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 817-2241, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766.