Pugs unfazed by early setbacks

HO CHI MINH (Via Globe Telecom)–The RP boxing team hoped to get back on track after suffering two sorry defeats Thursday, looking to build up momentum again as Roel Laguna and Mark Melligen were to climb the ring last night.

But win or lose, the Pinoy pugs are expected to gain morale-boost as Harry Tañamor (48kg) and Joan Tipon (54kg) close out today Team Philippines’ stints in the preliminary round of the SEA Games slugfest at the Phan Dihn Phung Sports Center.

Tañamor, silver medalist in the Busan Asian Games, and Tipon gold medal winner in the pre-SEAG tourney in the very same venue, are fancied to easily advance to the semifinals versus Malaysia’s Zamzai Azizibin Mohamad and Laos’ Chanthaone Erayarak, respectively.

Laguna (57kg) and Melligen (64kg) were likewise favorites against Laos’ Keo Intha Sathi and Cambodia’s Chan Samrith last night.

Team Philippines suffered its first casualties in Violito Payla (51kg) and Francisco Joven (69kg) who fell prey to world-class Thai boxers Jonjit Jonjohor and Manon Boojunnong.

Florencio Ferrer, a SEAG newcomer fighting in the 60kg category, saved the day for the Filipinos Thursday by pounding out a third-round RSC-O victory over Cambodia’s Sam Sokunthea.

Curiously, Ferrer, himself, was far from satisfied with his performance.

"Napasabay ako sa kanya ng bakbakan. Mali iyon dahil dapat timing-timing lang ako," said Ferrer on his slam-bang toe-to-toe encounter with Sonkunthea, which was easily the most-applauded match on Thursday night’s card.

Now assured of bronze, Ferrer, 20, hopes to make it better in his semis bout with Indonesian Marwan Muling, winner on points over Myanmar’s Soe Yarzar. Payla and Joven offered no excuses in their defeats.

"Masyadong mataas, mahaba at magulang. Mahirap kalaban," was all Payla could say as he absorbed another stinging loss to Jonjohor.

"Matulin," Joven said of Boomjunnong.

Thailand, the defending overall champion with seven gold medals won in Kuala Lumpur, was three-of-three in the first two days of boxing competition here.