The 17-year old bet from Cadiz City piled up enough points with crisp combinations in the second and third rounds to stave off a late surge by Turkey’s Kadri Kordel, 8-5.
"Inunahan ko na! Magaling rin pero siguro, mas determinado lang akong manalo," Parreñas said.
Parreñas’ victory somehow cushioned the loss of lightweight Florencio Ferrer in what appeared to be a close fight against lowly-regarded Dimitrius Adamopoulus of Greece, 1-5.
The 17-year old Ferrer from Bago City battled Adamopoulus toe to toe and even rendered the Greek a standing eight count in the fourth and final round, but still failed to merit a point from the all-European judges.
"Hindi ko maintindihan. Tumatama naman ako pero wala pa ring score," Ferrer said after the bout.
Light middleweight Maximino Tabangcora, on the other hand, was outclassed by local boy Zsolt Zupka, who took advantage of the Filipino’s inexperience, 2-20.
The rest of the Philippine Youth Team, sent here by the Philippine Sports Commission, Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, Adidas and Pacific Heights, will see action Tuesday and Wednesday.
Flyweight Vincent Palicte of Bago City will face Latvia’s Antons Berjczons Tuesday while featherweight Junard Ladon, who drew a first round bye, battles Som Bahadur Pun of India Wednesday.