Army rowers sweep regatta team honors

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Army staved off another strong challenge by Lake Buhi as it swept the fourth leg and copped the overall men’s team honors in the Cobra Energy Drink Regatta national finals at the Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard last weekend. 

The Army rowers broke loose from their travel-weary Lake Buhi rivals in the last 100 meters to rule the 300-meter standard boat race in a time of one minute, 10.12 seconds. 

The Buhi paddlers, who arrived a few hours before the race after a 12-hour, non-stop road trip from Camarines Sur, settled for second (1:11.44) while newcomer Philippine Coast Guard took third (1:13.61) in the event organized by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation. 

The Buhi squad, meanwhile, copped first place in the mixed division with a time of 1:15.54, beating Manila Ocean Park (1:18.85) and Triton (1:19.26) in the Cobra-sponsored competition. 

Triton A ruled the women’s side in 1:35.34, Philippine Coast Guard placed second (1:36.24) and De La Salle University third (1:42.58)) in the last dragon boat racing event of the year backed by Smart, Cetaphil, Ramada Manila Central and Sunlife Financial. 

“We would like to thank all the rowers in making this a successful regatta series for the fourth straight year and Cobra Energy Drink for supporting our event,” said PDBF president Marcia Cristobal. “This event gave the chance for new rowers like those from Buhi to be discovered.” 

Cristobal added that based on the superb showing of the Buhi paddlers, the PDBF might consider some of them for international competitions next year. 

“Cobra Energy Drink will continue to support dragon boat rowing next year, including our rowers who will compete in the 11th IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships in Hungary,” said Cobra Energy Drink brand manager Jef Mendoza.

“We would likewise thank all the rising number of rowers and teams that took part in our regatta, which just goes to show that dragon boat rowing now has a greater following in the country,” noted Cobra Energy Drink senior brand assistant Karlene Sebastian. 

With their fourth straight win, Army bagged the overall team crown with 530 points, besting Onslaught and One Piece.

Triton bagged the women’s overall plum with 290 points, Manila Ocean Park was second with 200 points and De La Salle University third with 170 points. 

  Manila Ocean Park secured the mixed overall championship with 290 points, La Salle runner-up (270) and Onslaught third (260).