TEAM PHILIPPINES survived a grueling challenge from some of the best riders in the world to finish fifth in the recent Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia (RFC).
Showing great resolve, Larry Mendiola and Atoy Jamila tallied 980 points in the 250-team field.
They also took the 2nd runner-up honor in the over 3,000 class but what made their campaign more rewarding was they they also won the Team Spirit Award.
"Team Philippines’ performance only proved that Filipino off-roaders can excel in international competition," said Robby Consunji, head of Team Philippines and also the president of Maven Management , Inc. the official Philippine Representative to RFC Malaysia.
"Under extreme weather condition and jungle terrains. Filipino engineering ingenuinity made its marked," added Consunji.
Host Malaysia, which paraded three sophisticated vehicles dominated the event by winning the top three places — thanks to Johor (1,259), Kuala Lumpur (1206) and Perak (1,004. Mexico wound up 4th place with 994.
Team Philippines was supported by Columbia Sportswear, Land Cruiser Club of the Philippines (Pampanga Chapter), Hotwire, Petron, Rudy Project,Sunbolt, Land Rover, Old Man Emu, Blue Dot Outdoor Inc.,Bilstein, ARB.
"Una, nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon na natapos namin na walang anumang sakuna at ang buong Team Philippines ay naka-balik na mahusay sa Pilipinas," said the 41-year-old Mendiola, the driver of Team Philippines.
