CEBU, Philippines – The battle for supremacy between defending champion Cebu City and Mandaue has been intensified as the two squads lead the cast in the penultimate round of the 2010 PLDT-ABAP Visayas Area Amateur Boxing Championships at the Mandaue City Heritage Park.
The Omega Pain Killer-powered Cebu City Niños and host Mandaue both stand with a sure silver going into the final round today plus nine sure bronzes. Bago, meanwhile, sent two bets into the final round and three in the semifinals.
Among those who assured Cebu City of sure bronzes were Ardie Boyese, Steven Noblefrancia and Klein Tacorda in the juniors division and Uelmark Dignos, Jordan Catubay, Jared Payao, Raymund Empec, Charlie Pocdol and Jack Tepura in the youth category.
Boyese marched into the semis following a 13-5 victory over TCC-B's John Michael Laguinod in the 48 kgs, Noblefrancia stopped Bacolod's Christopher Gauz at 1:02 of the second round in the 52 kgs., while Tacorda enjoyed a bye.
In the youth division, Dignos kept his hunt for gold after beating a boxer from Maguiker in the 46 kgs.
Catubay nipped TCC-B's Mark Steven Soreño, 13-8, in the 49 kgs., Payao pulled away a 19-7 triumph over Samar's Niel Bryan Unay in the 52 kgs., while Empec earned a 10-5 victory against Samar's Jason Concepcion in the 56 kgs.
Pocdol and Tepura proceeded advanced to the penultimate round in 64 kgs. and 50 kgs. class respectively, also by virtue of a bye.
TCC-A's Jahil Ala and Ramjess Colina, though, crashed out of the competition. Ala was beaten by Sagay's Aljon Oro, 13-5, in the juniors 46 kgs., while Colina bowed to Philippine-Australia Boxing Club's Rodel Wenceslao in 36 seconds of the first round.
TCC-B is left with only two boxers out of six entries through youth division 52 kgs. entry Jay Molijon and 57 kgs. John Danny Panit.
On the other hand, the nine Mandaue pugilists who are already ensured with bronze include junior 46 kgs. Kevin Jake Cataraja, 52 kgs. Albert Pagara, 57 kgs. Mark Bernaldez along with youth division's 46 kgs. bet Dannlou Codilla, 49 kgs. Reoxyl Tabogon, 52 kgs. Michael Romarate, 56 kgs. Christian Apawan, 60 kgs. Melvin Besinga, and 64 kgs. Robert Etorma.
Bacolod's 48 kgs. entry Junen Labordo was responsible for Mandaue's first loss after he stopped Cherwellan Cantel at 1:35 minutes of the second round. (FREEMAN)