Team Caltex pugs off for North Korea

Team Caltex Philippines goes into the final phase of its preparations for the Busan Asian Games next week when eight of the training pool members see action in the Pyonyang International Amateur Boxing Championships in North Korea.

The squad, a mixture of veteran and new international campaigners, will pit their talents against the best of Asia and Europe in the event where at least 15 nations are to compete.

The team, led by Olympian Romeo Brin and perennial winner Anthony Igusquiza, will see action in the event set Aug. 13 to 20.

"The team’s campaign in this tournament will be part of local boxing’s history since this will be the first time that we will play in North Korea. And I am very sure that the boxers will get the needed experience and also the time to scout their rivals in the coming Asian Games since most of the Asians participating in the event will also see action in Busan. This trip is very important to the aspirants," Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president Manny Lopez said. The trip is sponsored by Caltex Philippines and supported by Philippine Sports Commission, Pacific Heights, and Revicon.

Aside from light welterweight Brin and lightweight Igusquiza, joining the squad are light flyweight Harry Tanamor, flyweight Violito Payla, bantamweight Ferdie Gamo, featherweight Roel Laguna, light-middleweight Christopher Camat and middleweight Maraon Golez.

Coaches of the squad led by delegation head Felix "Bogie" Aposradero are Gregorio Caliwan, Nolito "Boy" Velasco and Patricio Gaspi while the referee/judge is Dante de Castro.