PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Philippines — Thai Arnon ‘‘Turbo’’ Theplib showed superb tactical riding to rule the centerpiece Asian MX2 class of the Motocross Masters of Asia, the Philippine leg of the 2011 FIM Asian Motocross Supercross Championship.

Theplib, the 2007 champion of the same series, wisely held defending champion Tomoya Suzuki at bay in the motos of the premier class before an estimated 30,000 spectators to win the race.

Suzuki's title retention bid nevertheless remained on track with his 2nd place finishes in the motos. Theplib's wingman, the former Asian Junior 85 champion Arongkot Pinpon, finished third while Iran's Amirreza Sabetifar came in 4th Jon Eleazar Adlawan emerged as the top Filipino finisher, claiming fifth place overall.

The 21-year-old riding whiz from Cebu scored an upset of sorts when he finished 4th in moto 1 by edging the top-seeded Sabetifar.

Adlawan wound up 6th in the final moto but his 2-moto aggregate was good enough for fifth place.

The continental motocross event was supported by the City of Puerto Princesa led by Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn, Oakley, Polisports, Colt 45, Spyder Helmets, Du Ek Sam Marketing, Kia Motors Palawan, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Tourism (DoT).

San Pablo City's Mark Reggie Flores stepped up in the second moto to finish first and edge out Fil-American Jonah Francisco for the Asian Junior 85 title.

Multi-titled veteran Jolet Jao came in 7th and 10th in the MX2 motos to finish 8th overall.