Corpuz makes bold move

LINGAYEN, Philippines — When Santy Barnachea won his second title in the defunct Ronda Pilipinas nine years ago, he mentioned a nephew whom he thought could become a champion cyclist like himself someday.

That boy’s name is Mervin Corpuz and that day may come soon.

Displaying the same raw power and brilliance that won Barnachea two Tour titles and two Ronda crowns, Corpuz made a daring move in Stage Six yesterday, jumping from fifth to second overall in the MPTC Tour of Luzon: Great Revival.

The 27-year-old Metro Pacific Tollways Drivehub bet was right behind eventual stage winner Muhammad Zahun Wahhi of Malaysia Pro Cycling and barely ahead of No. 3 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines’ Rench Michael Bondoc in three hours, 31 minutes and 12 seconds.

They were part of the 14-man lead pack that broke loose early in San Jose, Tarlac and rode a long, long stretch of flat roads amid the scorching heat before breaking up in the final 200 meters where they were met by a loud, massive crowd in Maramba Boulevard.

Corpuz’ second podium finish this year sent him flying straight to No. 2 in the general classification race with an aggregate time of 17:43:30, or just less than two minutes behind race leader Joo Dae Yeong of Gapyeong Cycling Team of South Korea, who has a total clocking of 17:41:34.

Corpuz chopped around three minutes off the two-time South Korean national champion’s lead before the stage and should be in legitimate title contention entering the final two stages – today’s 15.2km Lingayen-Labrador Stage Seven Individual Time Trial and tomorrow’s treacherous 177.54km Lingayen-Baguio Stage Eight where they would traverse the dreaded mountain passes of Benguet.

“Umakyat ako sa second. Sa Baguio, doon magkaka-alaman. Matira ang matibay,” said Corpuz, who quit basketball so he could follow the footsteps of his uncle.

While Corpuz took a major leap, Standard Insurance’s Ronald Oranza had a free fall, skidding from second overall down to 13th, or more than four and a half minutes off the pace.

Another MPTD rider, Jonel Carcueva likewise made a big jump, moving up to No. 4 with 17:44:06 while rounding out the top 10 were 7-Eleven’s Rench Michael Bondoc (17:44:28), Victoria Sports’ Nichol Pareja (17:44:28), Exodus Army’s Emmanuel Dave Montemayor (17:44:33), Go for Gold’s Jerico Jay Lucero (17:44:39) and Excellent Noodles’ Mar Francis Sudario (17:44:40).

Tour Notes: Manny V. Pangilinan, chairman of the MVP Group of Companies, raised the ante of the race by hiking the top individual prize from P500,000 to P1 million. The second and third placers will also receive P500,000 and P350,000 from P400,000 and P300,000, respectively. The team purse stays at P1 million. “Someone called us that MVP was happy with the turnout and the patience, endurance and passion the MPTC Tour of Luzon cyclists have shown,” said organizing DuckWorld PH chair Pato Gregorio Monday night. “So out of his (MVP) own pocket, he increased the prize.”