Peñalosa wins bout for Cebu's one gold

Cebu - Dave Peñalosa saved the day for Cebu after emerging as the only gold medalist in the 2009 Smart-PLDT National Youth, Men and Women’s Open Amateur Boxing Championships at the Multi-purpose gym of Bacolod City the other night.

Peñalosa, one of the two Cebu City bets to the final, sent Bacolod’s Elijah Ray Guanzon reeling after a head blow in the second round to score a referee-stopped-contest (RSC) for the title in the 54-kilogram youth division.

Peñalosa, the younger brother of two-time national champion Dodie Boy Peñalosa, Jr., shrugged off the pressure of fighting in his first national final to make sure that Cebu won’t go home empty-handed in the week-long national boxing championship.

The other Cebuano finalist Mark Vincent Bernaldez lost a controversial 5-6 decision in the finals of the junior bantamweight bout.

Juriel Jimenez, reported earlier to have reached the finals, had actually won a bronze medal as confirmed by coach Dodie Boy Peñalosa Sr. to The FREEMAN.

In all, Team Cebu had a 1-1-4 (gold, silver, bronze) medal tally in the tournament.

Earlier Cebu City got three bronzes courtesy of 40 kgs. Andrino Peskante, 48 kgs. Jomari Yuson, and 52 kgs. Allan Repuera, while Mandaue got two behind the efforts of 35 kgs. Lorenz Michael Romarate and 64 kgs. Jimmy Vallares. —Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)