For more than a decade, coach Vince Garcia gained prominence in the triathlon community not just as a fierce competitor but as "godfather" to para triathletes like national players Al Fernandez and Calib Sim Jr., as well as Godfrey Taberna, Raul Angoluan and Jake Lacaba — the youngest but the most fearless in the group.
The 22-year-old native from Tacloban City is born with just his right leg and a cleft lip, but nothing will stop him from competing since joining the TODO Para-triathlon Team only last year.
Garcia recalled one of his early conversations with Lacaba, expressing the latter’s determination to join the team. After agreeing for a meeting, Garcia said he expected Lacaba to take the bus but instead the youngster pedalled off with his bike and rode for approximately 130 kilometers just to meet him.
“When I asked him to go to Acropolis so I can assess him, I was surprised that he biked from Tarlac to Quezon City just right away,” Garcia said.
Lacaba raced his first competition — the Mt. Mayon Triathlon Championship — dubbed the most scenic and challenging run in the Philippines in Albay Province last August 14.
Teaming up with swimmer Manuel Lobrigo Jr. and runner Al Fernandez, Lacaba took the bike as they sealed a third-place finish with a time of three hour, 36 minutes and 29 seconds.
Full of determination, Lacaba officially became a full-pledge triathlete when he competed in his first individual race in the recently concluded New Clark City Triathlon in Capas, Tarlac.
Lacaba and Michael Bayani, a teammate with a permanently broken left ankle, competed in the individual short distance category on a 500m swim, 25K bike, and 6K run course and made the podium as first runner-up in his category.
Meanwhile, the trio of Sim (swimming with one leg also), Taberna (biking with a right clubbed foot), and Angoluan (running without both arms) completed the long-distance relay category on a 900m swim, 50K bike, and 12K run course at the same race. Surprisingly, they all podium finished with top honors for their categories.
While they prepare for the big races, coach Vince, the “para-boys”, and The Pedal Trap — the bike shop he owned — are spearheading a fundraising effort of selling eScooters for the para-triathlon team.
Like The Pedal Trap where all of its net revenues of the bike shop goes to the training and racing expenses of the para-boys, the proceeds of selling these eScooters will benefit the para-triathlon team for their training, uniforms, bicycles, and other race gear.
“Expenses for sending the para-boys to races entails airfare when needed, land transportation, hotel bookings, registration if not free, and food before, during, and after races.” “And to fund our efforts, we are seeking assistance in raising funds by selling good quality eScooters. Message us if you're open to helping us.”
Though originally priced at P35,000, each eScooter is brand new and discounted to only P25,000. It also comes with a 1-year warranty after purchase.
Interested individuals can schedule a test drive by contacting the Pedal Trap at 09178866341. The Para-triathlon Team also welcomes donations in cash or kind thru the same mobile number.