Del Rosario, Mangio sweep jetski challenge in Tacloban

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino world champion Paul del Rosario and ace female rider Jam Mangio posted a pair of sweeps while Raymund Romualdez shone in the Novice 4-strokes event in the first Sangyaw Jet Ski Challenge National Competition 2011 at the Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City, Leyte last week.

Del Rosario, who bagged the world jetski crown last year, dominated the premiere Expert Runabout Open while Mangio, who bagged the 2010 Thailand Jetski World Cup Grand Prix Women’s title, topped the Stand-Up event.

Tigbauan, Iloilo Mayor Excel Torres finished second while Malaysian bet Apak Mohammad Faez Noor placed third following his second and fifth place finishes in the event over Mangio and Malaysian female ace Shahida Noor.

Romualdez also grabbed the spotlight, beating Manila’s Pong Lee, Nueva Ecija’s Jay Gambito, Tacloban’s Danilo Alajas and Manila’s Fritz Ortiz to capture the Novice 4-strokes title on his first try.

Some 60 top racers from Malaysia, Ilocos, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Ormoc, Maguindanao, Davao and General Santos took part in the event organized by the Jet Sports Association of the Philippines through the City Government of Tacloban under the auspices of Mayor Alfred Romualdez.