Caltex Pinoy pugs to invade Cuban turf

Team Caltex Philippines, led by three veterans of last year’s Sydney Olympics, will leave for Cuba on Sunday to see action in three boxing tournaments in a span of two weeks as part of its preparations for the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games this September.

Lightflyweight Danilo Lerio, bantamweight Arlan Lerio and lightwelterweight Romeo Brin, who saw action in the Sydney Games, will lead an eight-man squad that also includes flyweight Violito Payla, featherweight Ramil Zambales, lightweight Joel Barriga, welterweight Reynaldo Galido and lightmiddleweight Junie Tizon.

They will see action in the tough Cordova Cardin Championships set April 5-10 in Holguin Province before returning to Havana for two invitational tournaments – the Roberto Balado Cup on April 11-13 and the Juvenile Cup on April 14-17.

Caltex Philippines, the biggest supporter of amateur boxing in the country, will fund the trip with support coming from Adidas, the official outfitter, Pacific Heights and the Philippine Sports Commission.

"These boxers are among our best and the Cordova meet is just the first of high-caliber tournaments they will compete in leading to the SEA Games. These overseas tournaments will also help us determine the final selection of our SEA Games team," said amateur boxing president Manny Lopez.

Lopez will head the delegation and will be joined by coaches Gregorio Caliwan, Nolito Velasco and Alex Arroyo and referee/judge Jesus San Esteban, Jr.

It will be the second international trip this year for the members of the national boxing pool following the Fujian Friendship Games last February in China where the Philippines emerged overall champion with three gold medals, a silver and a bronze.

"Patuloy ang preparasyon natin para sa darating na SEA Games. And our boxers have been training in Baguio since January kaya kahit sino sa kanila ay puwede isabak sa laban," said Caliwan, back as head coach following the exit of Cuban mentor Raul Liranza shortly after the Sydney Olympics.