Roman, Montano clinch underbone, scooter plums

MANILA, Philippines - Marvin Mangulabnan and Paul Mark Doblada topped their respective divisions but Anthony Roman of Castrol-Dudshop and Miko Erich Montano of JVT Racing took the overall crowns in the Philippine Underbone King Championships and the Philippine Scooter Racing Championships at Clark International Speedway in Pampanga recently.

Mangulabnan of HGM, who was 15 points behind in the title race, barely escaped by just 0.217 of a second over Nino Fabian of Castrol-Dudshop to rule the 150cc Open of the 2012 Philippine Underbone King Championships while Doblada nipped Montano at the finish by just 0.059 of a second in the 180cc Open class of the Philippine Scooter Racing Championships.

Mangulabnan’s win in the championship leg netted him the overall runner-up finish in the Philippine Underbone King Championships with a total of 124 points or two points ahead of third placer Fabian with 122.

Roman checked in third in the final leg but it was enough to complete his back-to-back title romp in the Underbone King side with 134 points, 10 points ahead of Mangulabnan.

Other winners in the Philippine Underbone King Championships were Michael Altamira of KSR-Motoworld in the 130cc Open, James Aldrin Mendez in the 115cc Open and Hajime Tadachi in the 115cc Novice division.

Despite Doblada’s victory, Montano still wrapped up the season with a double title feat, clinching the Overall plum in the 2012 Philippine Scooter Racing Championships with 136 points over JVT teammates Arlan de la Cruz and Ivan Santiago.

De la Cruz and Santiago tallied 120 and 93 points respectively.

Montano also won the 160cc Open crown with 135 over Marvin Marquez and James Barcial who made it a 1-2 finish for MTRT for the day together with Ralph Kenneth Torres.

In other results, Licious Francis Natividad won the A Class title over Charles Nolasco and Rommel Florante in the K-58; Clemen Canaria topped the B Class over Ronald Avecilla and Archie Acosta; and John Marcelo ruled C class over Emil Banno and John Kenneth Avendano.

In the Ducati Cup, John Defensor bagged the Masters crown over Toti Alberto and Charles Nolasco; John Marcelo topped the Naked division over Rommel Ayson while Jan Vincent Mercado won the Novice title over Emil Banno and Dax Ayson.