Dodie Boy Jr. saves day for Team Cebu

Dodie Boy Peñalosa Jr., son of former two-division IBF champion, Dodie Boy Peñalosa, saved Team Cebu City from going home without a gold medal in the 2007 Philippine National Open Youth and Women’s Amateur Boxing Championships in Cagayan de Oro City over the weekend.

Dodie Boy Jr. who had not fought in any local or national competitions showed promising skills in posting a convincing 28-14 victory over Warren Batirta of host Misamis Oriental in the school division’s featherweight class.

Team Cebu finished the tournament with a gold, three silvers and two bronzes.

Peñalosa Jr., a freshman mechanical engineering student, hopes that his win was convincing enough for Southwestern University to offer him a scholarship.

In an interview with The Freeman, SWU’s athletic director Ryan Aznar said that it is up to the school board to decide on the fate of boxers enrolled in the school. “Until now, hanging pa gyud ang among boxing program. So, di pa ko kapasalig nga makahatag mig scholarship sa mga boxers,”Aznar explained.

While SWU is still undecided, the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) has lured the 17-year-old Peñalosa to the national team. However, his father and coach Dodie Boy Sr. said in an interview that he wants his son to finish school first before he joins the RP team or turn pro.

Meanwhile, five other Cebu City bets supported by IPI and co- mentored by Efren Tabanas wound up with three silvers and two bronzes.

Featherweight Elf Gitgano settled for the silver after bowing to Angeles City’s Rolando Tacuyan. Dondie Pumar likewise went home with silver after being outclassed in the third round by his rival. Featherweight Benjie Espinosa got the other silver after being stopped in the second round by Ruel Apog of Davao del Norte.

Team Cebu’s bronze medalists were Apolonio Chavez, Jr. and Ardie Buyise. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol