RP boxers run show in national tourney

Panabo, Davao del Norte — Members of the RP team proved their worth as Jonie Tizon and Larry Semillano defeated separate foes on Friday to lead six more Navy pugilists into the finals of the 2004 National Juniors, Seniors and Women’s Amateur Boxing championships at the Panabo Multi-Purpose gym here.

The semis win of Tizon, Semillano, Jon Tipon, Vincent Palecte, Franklin Albia and Joegin Ladon brought to 11 the number of Navymen in the finals of the annual tournament organized by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines and hosted by Davao del Norte Rep. Tony Boy Floirendo.

They joined early finalists Warlito Parinas, Salvador Tizon, Mark Jason Millegen, Ferdie Gamo and Albert Pabila in the battle for the gold late afternoon yesterday.

"The Navy has the biggest entry because we fielded 17 boxers in the seniors division of the tournament. But I think, our preparation is the reason for our domination in the tourney," said Barcelona Olympic bronze medallist Roel Velasco, who is also consultant of the Navy team.

Lightheavyweight Tizon forced Maximo Tabangcura of the Philippine Army to retire in 1:18 of the third round to face Mary Joy Tagbe of the Air Force in the finals. Tagbe prevailed over Navy’s Pablo Gascara, 33-11.

Semillano, a veteran of two Southeast Asian Games, conquered fellow RP national teammate Joel Barriga of the Air Force, 33-15, in the welterweight class. He will then face another RP team veteran Francis Joven of the Philippine Army in the finals.

Palecte proved too much for Randy Cuanan of Maramag, Bukidnon, 32-14, to arrange an all-Navy finals showdown against Tipon, conqueror of Rico Laput also of the Air Force, 13-5, in the bantamweight category.

Ladon forged an easy 37-17 decision over Armyman Genebert Basadre to meet Mark Anthony Borja, winner over Sorsogon’s Rommel Lagunoy, 31-12, in the lightweight finals.

Borja is one of only three non-military pugilists who made it to the finals in the seniors division, the others were flyweight Michael Apolonio of Maasim, Sarangani and pinweight Marvin Somodio of Ringside team.

"It’s really expected because the AFP in general especially the Navy team have the most equipped facilities. Besides, we also hired Olympic veterans like Roel (Velasco) as consultant. They helped designed a good training program for our boxers, who are mostly members of the RP amateur boxing team," said Navy head coach Joevin Jimenez.

Philippine Army’s Ernanie Despabille prevented an all-Navy finals in the lightflyweight division by beating Johnny Cadiga, 30-23. He will face 23-year-old Albia, who eliminated Jovive Eugenio of the Air Force via RSC-O in 20 seconds of the third round.

The female division showed Gretchen Abaniel of Puerto Princesa City prevailing a close 31-24 decision over fellow Palawaneo and pretty Josie Gabuco to meet Baguio City’s Noemi Pekeng, winner over hometown favorite Jemma Mortera, in the pinweight finals.