Ronald Oranza begins final assault for honors

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines — Ronald Oranza hopes to come out strong coming off a three-day rest, so do the rest of his pursuers, guaranteeing a spirited battle of power, stamina and mountain-climbing skills in three of the last four stages of Ronda Pilipinas 2018 presented by LBC.

That starts with today’s punishing Stage Nine, a 207.2-km race from Silang Municipal Hall to Tagaytay Convention Center that will feature four climbs through Kaybiang Tunnel, which serves as the gateway to the western coves of Southern Luzon like the Mt. Palay-Palay mountain, Mt. Pico de Loro and Mt. Marami before concluding with the ascent in Keynes in Talisay, Batangas.

Race director Jingo Hervas himself said the last three stages will make or break one’s title bid.

“Those are ‘killer stages,’” said Hervas.

Oranza agrees.

“It will be a tough stage,” said Oranza. “I just need to be prepared and race smart.”

The next two will be as challenging with the Tagaytay-Calaca Stage 10 tomorrow set over 147.8 kms and the Calaca-Calaca Stage 11 slated over 92.72 kms. on Saturday.

Oranza, of Navy-Standard Insurance, has piled up 21 hours, one minute, 56 seconds after eight stages he spiked with victories in Stage One criterium in Vigan, the Vigan-Pagudpud Stage Two and the Stage Seven criterium in Tarlac and a second-place finish in the Nueva Ecija-Tarlac Stage Six.