Del Rosario, Ang Jetski co-riders of the year

SUBIC — Following their masterful sweeps, World Jet Ski runner-up Paul del Rosario and Networx Jetsports-Gerry’s Grill protégé BJ Ang emerged co-Riders of the Year yesterday in the 2006 Petron Jet Ski National Series at the Waterfront Beach here.

The season ended in a uniquely unexpected climax since it’s the first time in the 12-year history of the organizing Jet Sports Association of the Philippines (JSAP) that two riders bagged the coveted plum of this event presented by Petron and sponsored by SBMA, Networx Jetsports, Denso, Courtyard Inn, Premiere Ready Mix, WOW! Jetski-Puerto Galera, Subic Homes, Cars and Cycles Autocenter and Gerry’s Grill which hosted the awarding cocktails.

Del Rosario, the back-to-back champion in 1999 and 2000, bagged his unprecedented third Rider of the Year award after his sweep in the Expert Open 1200 Unlimited class over 1997 champion and JSAP vice-president John Dee of Intex Marketing and Dev’t Corporation.

He also bagged the Stand-Up class crown over Carlo Garcia and Dee, and the overall Open Sport title over Alex Isip and promising newcomer JR Pineda in this series also supported by Ford Global City, Pacific Armoring and Glass Corporation, Intex-Boating World, Alex Car Restoration Service, Subic Homes, Petron Lakeshore Toll Service Facility, HSD Iced Products, Goped-Asia, Hizon Laboratories, Amarula, Jager Meister, Irma Fishing, Top Gear and Stoplight TV.

The 21-year-old Ang also made history as the youngest Rider of the Year after ruling all the races in the Expert Runabout 800 Open over Harley David and Excel Torres.

Sharing the limelight was Michael Mangio who clinched the Novice Rider of the Year honors over Robbie David and Dax Figueroa with his sweep in the Novice 4-Strokes division.

"It’s the first time in JSAP history. This is an indication that jetski race has gone to a higher level and we hope to develop more young talents as we expect more exciting action next season," said JSAP president Dong Arcilla who received kudos for the successful revival of jetski racing together with race director Sonny Yalung.

Darlene Carbungco-Isip, the 2001 Mutya ng Pilipinas winner, won the overall Women’s Runabout crown while Figueroa bagged the Novice 2-Strokes title over Jeremy Chua and Alex Isip.