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- AN APPLE A DAYMay 1, 2007 | 1:58pm

A rematch looms between reigning Philippine super bantamweight champion Alex Escaner and challenger Jake Verano after their 12-round title showdown ended in a controversial majority draw Sunday in the Fiesta Fistiana at the Rajah Sulaiman Park in Malate, Manila.

The aggressive Verano pounced on Escaner’s sluggish start and looked well on the way to scoring a huge upset but the latter made a fiery comeback in the last few rounds despite a bloodied nose, delivering timely combinations that convinced the judges he should keep the title.

Two judges scored the bout 115-115 and 114-114 while another saw it 116-112 in favor of Verano, which meant the 33-year-old Escaner remains the RP champion with a 25-12-6 win-loss-draw card (11 KOs).

The decision drew jeers from the crowd of around 10,000 that was treated to eight thrilling bouts featuring some of the country’s most exciting professional fighters.

“I didn’t realize I could pull through,” said Escaner of the Marty Elorde Stable.

The 25-year-old Verano, No. 3 in the RP rankings, now has a 17-9-2 (9 KOs) record but his dejected handlers are looking to have him face off with the champion soon. His handler Leonil Lazarito has 90 days to seal a deal for a possible rematch with Escaner, according to GAB boxing division official Antonio Comia.

Organized by the Philippine Sportswriters Association in cooperation with the Games and Amusement Board and the City of Manila and sponsored by San Miguel Corp., Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Philippine Sports Commission, the event was held to raise funds for destitute and disabled boxers. Instead of giving out cash, as was the usual practice, organizers are handing business starter kits to the chosen boxers to help them establish their own source of income.

Second-ranked straw weight Denver Cuello scored a first-round stoppage of Carlo Besares in their scheduled 10-rounder while Gerry Peñalosa’s ward Michael Farenas, No. 1 in the featherweight division, needed only two rounds to destroy former RP champion Jeffrey Onate in their scheduled eight-round fight in the event also supported by Philippine Airlines, SM, Caltex Philippines and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The card underscored the Manila Sports Council and Arnold “Ali” Atienza’s boxing program, which aims to boost the popularity of the sport and discover potential world champions in the city.

The country’s No. 4 super bantamweight fighter Jun Talape, meanwhile, was stretched to the distance, winning by majority decision after 10 rounds against the flamboyant Johnny Lear.

In fights featuring women boxers, Gretchen Abaniel stopped Baina Londo in the first round of their 105-lb match while Jeramie Tabas-Tabas of Pasig City scored a majority decision over Jujeath Nagawa of Baguio City in the 112-lb fight.

The opening four-round bouts went the distance, with Jason Perater of Mandaluyong City winning over Ruel Cuizon of Binangonan via a unanimous decision in their 128-lb match while Jurland Ceniza of Cagayan de Oro won a split decision over Francis Borreros of Sampaloc, Manila in their 135-lb match.