Boxers start Asiad buildup

Team Caltex Philippines tries to erase the stigma of its harrowing stint in the last Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia as it leaves for Poland tomorrow to compete in the Feliks Stamm International Boxing Championships which starts Tuesday in Warsaw.

The five-day event, a world-ranking tournament, actually kicks off the team’s buildup for next year’s Asian Games in Pusan, South Korea where it hopes to redeem itself from that Kuala Lumpur debacle where it failed to bag a gold medal for the first time in SEAG participation.

Manny Lopez, the ABAP (Amateur Boxing Association of the Phils.) president, admits it will be tough to bring back the glory days of RP boxing in the international arena but remains confident his wards will be able to bounce back with renewed thrust and determination.

In fact, ABAP has overhauled its roster of boxers, dropping off the list the likes of former Asian Games gold medallist Reynaldo Galido and the Lerio brothers — Arlan and Danny, and elevating to the national team former Asian Junior campaigner featherweight Roel Laguna, 20, bantamweight Vincent Palicte, 19, and lightweight Florencio Ferrer, 18.

They will be joined in the team by flyweight Violito Payla, lightfly Harry Tanamor and lightwelterweight Romeo Brin, who, despite their failed bids in the last SEA Games, have kept their spots in the RP squad.

Caltex Phils. has renewed its commitment to support RP boxing by way of sponsoring the RP team’s Poland stint in a move that further underscored the company’s faith and trust in the ABAP’s program and vision.

"It will be tough but we promise to bounce back. With Caltex’s full support, I am hopeful that we can regain the glory days of RP boxing," said Lopez.

The team, also backed by Pacific Heights, will be coached by George Caliwan and Pat Gaspi.