CEBU, Philippines - Rheson Tarona and Rommel Tuñacao bested their respective foes to assure Mandaue City of at least two silver medals in the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP)-organized 2010 National Youth Amateur Boxing Championships in Puerto Princesa, Palawan .
Tarona grabbed a 16-12 victory over Tagbilaran City’s Victor Cornel to advance into the gold medal round of the 30 kgs. kids division, while Tuñacao also barged into the finals of the 28 kgs. class after edging out Valencia’s Ben Vanguardia.
In his quest for crowning glory, Tarona faces a tall order as he takes on the highly favored Rafael Jalnaiz of Misamis Oriental, son of one-time Olympian Roberto Jalnaiz.
“Isog si Tarona, pero di ta kabalo unyang mahitabo sa ring. Pero kung di siya mausab, kung unsay iyang performance sa previous round, di siya ma kuyawan nga final na, aw, makaingon gyud ta’g kumbati pud ta,” said Mandaue City head coach Peter Cuizon.
26 kgs. bet Richard Rama, on the other hand, just settled for bronze after bowing to Puerto Princesa-B’s Ian Fabial, 4-12. (FREEMAN NEWS)