Cebu City grabs easy gold in ABAP slugfest

CEBU, Philippines - Even before the tournament could formally start, the Cebu City Niños already won a gold medal in the 2012 PLDT-ABAP Visayas Amateur Boxing Championships, which kicked off yesterday at Robinson's Mall in Dumaguete City.

This as Jerry Castroverde is unopposed in the 54 kgs. class of the juniors division. This is the first time that the 14-year-old Castroverde is joining in a regional contest and he was lucky enough to be a gold medallist right away.

Castroverde is one of TCC's only two entries in the juniors category. The other is 49 kgs. Junrel Jimenez.

On the other hand, defending champion Mandaue City is ensured of at least a bronze after last minute replacement Eleno Traya advanced to the 60 kgs. semifinals.

Nine Local Government Units pooling in 53 boxers are taking part in this four-day, by-invitation tournament organized by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) as part of its countrywide grassroots development program.

“Visayas, just like Mindanao, is a boxing country and we expect talented boxers to be discovered after this tournament,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson.

City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria was joined in by Rep. Henry Teves and former Finance secretary Margarito Teves during the opening ceremony with Mayor Sagarbarria expressing his heartfelt thanks to ABAP headed by chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and president Ricky Vargas for holding the event in his province.

Carina Picson, head of ABAP’s women’s boxing team, and SMART Sports’ Carlo Leviste were also on hand during the ceremony.

Mandaue is expected to have its hands full against worthy rivals led by Cebu, which ruled the first Visayas Championships two years ago.

Other participating LGUs are Northern Samar, Tagbilaran Bohol, Negros Occidental, Leyte, Bago City and host Dumaguete City which is fielding in two teams.

Competition will be held in the junior boys (15-16) and youth (17-18) with boxers who will create good impressions on national boxing coaches to be invited to compete in the National Finals slated on March 4 to 7 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

The Visayas Area tournament is the final regional elimination conducted by ABAP after holding the National Capital Region-Luzon edition in Mandaluyong City and the Mindanao meet in Panabo, Davao del Norte. –with ABAP Media Bureau