Members, team officials and sponsors of the Omega Pro Triathlon team flash the no. 1 sign as they were presented to the media during a press conference at the Robinson’s Galleria Atrium yesterday. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
THERE’S a bright future ahead for the Omega Pro Tri-Team, which was officially launched yesterday at the Robinson’s Galleria Atrium in Cebu City.
Backed by Brazillian footwear brand Rider Philippines, Isuzu Philippines and International Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IPI), the team is headed by celebrity and team manager Paul Jake Castillo.
It is composed of top-tier triathletes in the likes of Filipino elites Welmar Saavedra, Lorhiz Echavez-Lopez, Cianyl Gonzalez, Paul Jumamil, Kristiane Lim and Cagayan de Oro native Banjo Norte.
Castillo said in a press conference the team is ready for a higher level of competition this year in both local and international races.
“We have a bigger picture for the team this year. We want to be the number one team not just in Visayas, but in the Philippines,” Castillo said.
The team made its triathlon debut in 2013 during the Xterra Cebu race. They started with just Castillo and Frederick Castaneda, who is now the team captain.
The age-group roster of the team include Castillo, Omega Team marketing manager Tonyson Luther Lee, Jeffrey Codino, Alton Amor, Franz Baguio, Christopher Capistrano, and Steve Cortes. Also in the team are Lorenzo Amor, Johny Ferniz II, Reiner Englis, Allistair Patino, Sean Yu, Clive Baguio, Jezryl Villarete, Mendel Lopez and Fr. Joseph Larida.
The Omega team is expected to participate in nine triathlon races this year, among them is the Cobra Ironman Asia Pacific Championships here in Cebu this August.