Manalo, Pagarao top beginners course

Manolo “Lo” Manalo raises his road bike after winning the beginners division of last Sunday’s 2021 Padyakan Sa Saipan. (Mark Rabago)

Manolo “Lo” Manalo and Lalaine “Irish” Pagarao proved that basketball players can successfully transition into cycling by winning their respective beginners division races in last Sunday’s 2021 Padyakan Sa Saipan.

Manalo, who used to suit up in various recreational basketball leagues on Saipan, gave his surname justice (Manalo means to win in Filipino) when he finished first in the one-lap, 20-kilometer road bike course from Banzai Cliff to Seafix Inc. and back. He clocked in with a time of 36:41 to best fellow newcomers Jaypee Pangelinan (37:49) and Ace Doca (38:01)

The 37-year-old who works in construction said he only began cycling five months ago and was surprised to beat out stronger cyclists. Manalo dedicated the victory to his family on Saipan and in his native Philippines.

Lalaine “Irish” Pagarao smiles while posing with her mountain bike after winning the beginners division of last Sunday’s 2021 Padyakan Sa Saipan. (Mark Rabago)

Pagarao, meanwhile, is a former member of the CNMI national basketball team and she finished first in the beginners division of the women’s mountain bike course. The 29-year-old soccer coach, who only started biking last year, beat Rose Sedillo, who finished second in the category (no times were available).

“It was fun biking especially with a group of friends. I wasn’t looking for the win. It was more on ‘let’s support and have fun.’ I am happy that our group came out and joined because for most of us, it was our first time to join a bike race. It’s also good experience for all of us seeing new faces and making friends. People should go out there and try biking! Let’s be more active!” she said.

Lynne Montiveros won the beginners road race for women, while the following are the road race age category winners—Renren Gaviola (1:42:63 in the 20 Up), Robin Tatlonghari (30 Up), Fred Remillosa (40 Up), Robert Tamondong (1:41:49 in the 50 Up), Willy Barbo (60 Up), Robyn Spaeth (women’s 30 Up), and Angie Mister (women’s 40 Up).

Organizers also gave special participation awards to the 2021 Padyakan Sa Saipan’s youngest participants—13-year-old Andre Kathleen Chavez, 14-year-old Isiah Aleksenko, and 15-year-old Mark Jainier Chavez—and oldest participant—70-year-old Danilo Paquerez. E-bikers Jerry Tan, Catherine Attao, Melanie Santos, and Maria Loida Ito were also acknowledged for their participation.

Organizer Emon Masonic Lodge 179 awarded the Top 3 winners of each division with medals and other prizes during the awards ceremony held Sunday night at Rendezvous Restaurant.

The 2021 Padyakan Sa Saipan was originally set for March 20, but was moved back nearly a month after Saipan recorded a small cluster of COVID-19 cases early last month. Padyakan is a Filipino word which loosely means to pedal.