Easy wins lift Pabila, Vicera to quarterfinals

BACOLOD City – Navy’s Albert Pabila and Army’s Bill Vicera made the most out of the absence of World Cup champion Harry Tañamor as they pulled off victories in the light flyweight class Monday night to reach the quarterfinals of the Smart National Amateur Boxing Championships at the Nompac here.

Pabila overpowered Northern Samar’s Loren Bordeos and came away with a 35-8 romp while Vicera held off University of Baguio’s Crisanto Godaren to score a tough 14-10 victory.

Those wins set up Pabila against Iligan City’s Raul Posta Jr. and Vicera against Sagay City’s Lowe Arlos in the quarterfinals of the tournament organized by Smart, Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella and Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez.

Posta trounced Bago City’s Mark Habana, 29-9, while Arlos beat Dumaguete’s Janno Rey Laure, 19-14.

“I trained hard to win the gold here. Although he (Tañamor) is No. 1, I’m younger and I hope I can catch up on him,” said the 24-year-old Pabila.

Mandaluyong City’s Jimmy Aducol, Dagupan’s Keneth Sumodio, Cebu City’s Joemari Yuson and Lambunao, Iloilo’s Leonil Legarda likewise advanced to the next round in the annual meet.

Aducol edged Dumaguete City’s Abet Libert, 20-19, and Yuson outclassed Olongapo’s Raffy Esperteso, 11-1. Sumodio and Legarda scored a pair of walkover wins.

Bantamweight Phil Francis Abanilla, featherweight Arnel Cepollano and lightweight Gilbert Gonzales of North Cotabato also hurdled their respective rivals to advance to the next round.

Abanilla bested Bago City’s Ricardo Cabiloque, 25-19, Cepollano prevailed after Philsca’s Glen Tusiap sustained an injury 10 seconds into the fourth and final round, while Gonzales triumphed over Bago City’s Dennis Galvar, 30-27.

In the kids division, Himamaylan’s Mario Bautista scored a 30-2 win over Talisay City’s Nolimar Magliquian to advance to the semis.

Bautista, whose stint here is sponsored by Himamaylan Mayor Carminia Bascon, will face Tayabas, Quezon’s Earl Jade Narez, who gained via a walkover win over Pacman GenSan’s Janwar Umaas in the no weight (26 kilograms) category.

Tagbiliran’s Cornel John Virgil also won via default and Misamis Oriental’s Jason Basadre defeated Puerto Princesa’s Eljay Loreto, 9-5, to join the semis.

In cotton weight division, Misamis Oriental’s Rafael Jalnaiz, coached by former Asian Games gold medalist and Olympian Roberto Jalnaiz, led the early winners with a 4-3 triumph over Northern Samar’s Ronald Ellinas.

Tagbiliran’s Orville King Olivar slammed Iligan’s Rackman Damatinday, 19-14, Cadiz City’s Jaylord Alonzo demolished Himamaylan’s Jellynel Esparagoza, 16-0, and La Union’s Ryan Torre pummeled Bago City’s Neil Tambanillo, 21-4, to join Jalnaiz in the semis.