Onyok's bid

Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco Jr.'s dream of a return stint in the Olympics is over.

Velasco, who couldn't concentrate on training because of various commitments, has been dropped again from the national pool of boxers, losing his chance of competing in the coming Sydney Games.

This was bared by no less than his brother-coach Nolito "Boy" Velasco, who said Onyok has been skipping the team's workout for over two weeks now.

"Hirap na talagang mag-contrate sa training sa dami ng commitments. At kung mag-practice man hirap na rin siyang kunin ang timbang niya," said the elder Velasco.

Minus Onyok, boxers left to contest for the light flyweight slot in the RP team bound for the last Asian Olympic qualifier set April 1-7 in Bangkok are Danilo Lerio, Harry Tañamor, Sonny Dollente and Lhyvenn Salazar.

As part of the eliminations for the Bangkok joust, the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines held sparring bouts last Saturday. Lerio, who won the gold medal in the recent Czech Grand Prix, missed the session due to a boil in the armpit.

Christopher Camat climbed the ring for the third time since his arrival in the country and lost again to Junie Tizon.

However, Boy Velasco didn't rule out the possibility of Camat going to the Bangkok qualifier fighting as light middleweight with Tizon possibly entered in the welterweight class. --