Carter limps out of game p. 33
New OPBF No.1 challenger p. 31
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n JOBANNIE C. TABADA Editor
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2004
TOYOTA. The Japanese team is aiming for greater heights this year. (AFP FOTO)
BOLD FORECAST
F1 top guns now taking us seriously -Toyota boss
GET THAT F1 FEELING. Formula One enthusiasts examine the BMW-Williams car that raced in last year’s F1 season at the BMW showroom in Cebu City. The car is being toured in different BMW showrooms in the country. (SUN.STAR FOTO/ARNI ACLAO)
Five, five, phooey! KUALA LUMPUR – Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie finished his first round with five straight fives and a blinding headache as the high humidity took its toll at the $1.21 million Carlsberg Malaysian Open yesterday. Montgomerie, who has recorded two wins in Asia in the last 15 months, slumped to a one-over-par 73 after being four-under-par through 13 holes at Saujana Golf and Country Club. He is seven shots behind early leader Martin Maritz of South Africa who recorded a six-under-par 66. The burly Scot was in buoyant mood before he stepped onto the par-three fifth green - his 14th hole of the day. He walked off with shoulders slumped after taking a double bogey five, including one putt which sped off the front of the green. He did not comment on the pin placement on the narrow green but Maritz later described it as “borderline impossible.” Montgomerie, who fell out of the top 50 in the world earlier this week, went on to bogey three out of his final four holes. “I finished with five fives – the heat got to me today unfortunately,” said a visibly- distressed Montgomerie. “I am going to get some headache pills.” (AFP) M A L AY S I A N OPEN. Terry Price of Australia lines up a putt on day one of the Malaysian Open. Price carded a six-under-par 66. (AFP FOTO)
GMA IN CVIRAA PSC chief Eric Buhain also invited
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RESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be the guest of honor during the opening of the 2004 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) set this Feb. 29 to March 6 in Danao City. This was revealed yesterday by Danao City Councilor Boying Rodriguez during the Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines (Scoop) forum at Baseline restaurant. Rodriguez said that they’ve also invited Sen. Robert Jaworski, Rep. Monico Puentevella and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Eric Buhain to grace the opening ceremony of the regional meet. Department of Ecucation (DepEd) 7 Director Carolino Mordeno, for his part, said that around 6,000 athletes, coaches and officials will see action in the multi-event meet. “We’re expecting about 5,000 to 6,000 athletes, coaches and officials in this competition. We always monitor Danao City for its preparation and so far, I think they are ready,” said Mordeno. The Cebu City Niños will defend their the overall title in the event against teams from Bohol, Dumaguete, host Danao City, Siquijor, Cebu Province, Negros Oriental and Tanjay City, among others. JSV
TOKYO – Formula One newcomer Toyota has set its sights on a top three podium finish in the upcoming season and believe rivals are starting to take them seriously. “It will be our third F1 season. We are starting to feel that we are gradually recognized as an F1 player,” Toyota executive vice president Akihiko Saito said at a press conference. “This year, we will aim at a podium position,” he said. Success in F1 should improve Toyota’s corporate image and should help sales of Toyota vehicles in foreign markets, especially in Europe, Saito added. “We have faced many challenges during the previous seasons and stayed in large part just another challenger. We are still a challenger. But this year, we hope to take a big step forward and really be part of the F1 community,” Saito said. In the 2003 season, Toyota finished eighth in the constructors’ championship points, with drivers Cristiano da Matta and Olivier Panis ending the season in 13th and 15th place, respectively, in the drivers’ championship. This year, Toyota is hoping to benefit from the input of new technical director of chassis Mike Gascoyne, whose F1 career dates back in 1989 with McLaren, said Tsutomu Tomita, Toyota’s team principal. “What’s going for us this year is the experience of Mike Gascoyne. He has already given us many suggestions about mechanical design, race strategies and race techniques. I believe our machines for the next season (2005) should reflect input from Mike Gascoyne,” Tomita said. “I have to admit our new (Toyota TF104 cars) are not necessarily the fastest. But they are achieving our goals and are running faster than our previous models,” he added. “We are looking forward to the opening of the new season,” Saito added. (AFP)