Saludar sibling sumuntok ng ginto sa Finland

TAMPERE, Finland--Dalawang magkapatid mula sa Davao del Norte ang sumuntok ng dalawang gold medal, habang dalawa pang Filipino bo­xers ang kumuha ng silver medal sa 31st Tammer Cup dito sa Pyynikkin Palloiluhalli Sports Hall.

Tinalo ni Victorio Salu­dar si England’s Charlie Ed­wards, 7-3, para kunin ang gintong medalya at tanghaling ‘Best Fighter of the tournament’, samantalang binigo naman ni Rey Saludar si Portugal’s Pedro Matos, 6-0.

Huling sumabak sa torneo ang bansa noong 2006 tampok ang pag-uuwi nina Joan Tipon at Violito Payla ng gold medal.

Nakuntento naman sa silver medal sina top Filipino bet Charly Suarez at Delfin Boholts.

Natalo si Suarez kay Finnish superstar Matti Koota, 0-6, habang yumukod naman si Boholst kay Ross Hickey, 1-2.

Ang nasabing two-gold, two-silver performance ng Team Philippines ang pinakamaganda nang kampanya sa isang international tournament matapos magpasok ng apat na boksingero sa finals.

Tig-tatlong pugs naman ang naiabante ng host Finland at France sa final round.

“I thought the match was closer and Koota was given a standing 8-count in the last round so I seriously doubt that Charly did not deserve a single point, “ said ABAP executive director Ed Picson.

“Then again, the hometown boy fought smartly and I think he deserved the win. The crowd also did its job.”

Ang trip ay huling bahagi ng “Road to Asian Games” blueprint nina ABAP president Ricky Vargas at chairman Manny V. Pangilinan ng telecommunications giant PLDT.