Buncio-Aguilar showdown spices up superbikes series

MANILA, Philippines - The chase for top honors heats up in the Enersel Forte Philippine Superbikes Championship Series which stages its fifth leg at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas.

With two legs to go, defending champion Maico Buncio of YRS-Elf Moto Oil-Yamaha Racing and Glenn Aguilar of Enersel Forte-Ducati Racing gear up for another duel in the Open class in their quest for the Superbikes Rider of the Year award.

Chasing a four-peat feat, Buncio totes 194 points as he tries to bounce back with a victory to secure the crown.

But Aguilar is out for a second straight win after ruling the recent Clark leg that snapped Buncio’s three-leg win streak. Aguilar now holds a total of 160 points.

Joining them are former 10-time Superbikes champ Jolet Jao and 15-year-old sensation Dashi Watanabe, who will also try to keep the solo lead in the Intermediate class against John Defensor, Mario Niño Garcia and Raniel Resuello.

Aguilar also shoots for a fifth straight win in the Motard class to keep his lead over teammate Toti Alberto and Allan Suansing in the event sponsored by Enersel Forte, Pagcor Sports, MTRT, Aeromed, Inside Racing Magazine and Stoplight TV.

Favored in the other divisions are Mario Bagtang in the Superbikes Novice, Nikky Roman in the 400cc Novice division, Inigo Bilbao in the Superbikes Beginners class, Aries Padiernos in the 400cc Unlimited division and Mario Niño Garcia.

Bagtang seeks a second consecutive victory over Richard Soriano, Adrian de Leon and current points leader Dennis Fajardo in the Novice class while Roman eyes a repeat over Marlon Teng and Lucious Francis Natividad in the Motard division.

Buncio also seeks a crucial win in the Philippine Underbone King Championship Series.

Suzuki riders Johnlery Enriquez and Paul Mark Doblada dominated the last race at the Enchanted Kingdom.

as Buncio, after his dismal stint, now has 221 points, two points ahead of former champ Jaime Barcial who has 219 points.

The other favored riders are Suzuki’s Josh Reuben Tan in the 180cc MTRT Automatic Scooter, Jeffrey Anthony Teodengco in the 160cc MTRT Automatic Scooter, Buncio in the 130cc Open, Paul Mark Doblada in the 115cc Open and Marvin Mangulabnan in the 115cc Superstock.

For details, log on to 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.