Lerio: Last man standing

USTI NAD LABEM -- It was a match Danilo Lerio turned into a big mismatch.

Lerio pounced, pounded and pummeled local bet Faber Frantisek to score an 11-2 victory that sent him to the finals of the 31st Czech Grand Prix international boxing tournament at the Sportnavi Haly here Saturday.

Featured on the first bout, the Gen. Santos City lad came out to dish out the first grand show of the day, cutting to size his tall hometown rival in a swashbuckling performance that gave him a crack at the lightflyweight gold medal versus Tansie Sorin of Romania.

However, Lerio's triumph proved to be the last for the Filipinos on a freezing weekend here with teammates Roel Laguna, Larry Semillano, brother Arlan and Anthony Igusquiza falling one by one in the later bouts.

Laguna, Arlan Lerio and Igusquiza lost on points to Thailand's Chotipat Wongprates and Wijan Ponlid, and Poland's Bojanowski Artur, respectively, while Semillano retired in the fourth round versus Iungu George due to a busted nose.

"No problema with the four boxers. They fought two matches here despite little preparasyon (for the tournament back home). They lost but fought good so it's good (for their buildup for the last Olympic qualifier and the Olympics itself)," said RP Cuban head coach Raul Liranza of the four Filipino pugs settling for bronze medals.

Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines president Manny Lopez called up from home later in the day to congratulate the fighters on their fine performance and, at the same time, urge Lerio to give his best shots to win a gold for the team which is sponsored here by Caltex Phils., Pacific Heights, the Philippine Sports Commission and Adidas as the official outfitter.

The RP coaching staff which includes Nolito "Boy" Velasco and Pat Gaspi took in stride the team's semifinals defeats although they felt Igusquiza was robbed of a spot in the light welterweight finals by the judges.

"First round Igusquiza lost no problema. Pero segunda should be parehas then tersera and quarta to Igusquiza. Igusquiza fought very good," said Liranza.

Making sure his rival not get away triumphant with the help of the judges was Lerio.

The pint-sized former Asian Youth boxing festival titlist put the pressure on Frantisek from the start, sending him on the run throughout with an array of combinations.

Lerio even stunned practically everybody in the venue when he knocked down the local bet with one solid right straight to the face in the third round.

Frantisek was quick to stand on his feet only to get another mandatory eight count on another crushing head blow by the Filipino pug.

"Sana ma-sustain ko ang momentum ng panalo kong ito sa finals para makapag-uwi tayo ng gold," said Lerio.