Pabalate, Laruan rule Muaythai Battle of Best

MANILA, Philippines – 2007 Asian champion Romnick Pabalate and silver and bronze medalist the past two Southeast Asian Games Zaidi Laruan bannered the winners in the 2009 Muaythai Battle of the Best (MBB) second leg in Bauang, La Union last Monday.

Pabalate, who hails from Negros Oriental, dug just enough from his vast arsenal to teach Baguio City’s Jason Sawangin, MBB initial leg most improved fighter, a neat lesson in the science of “eight limbs”.

Baguio City’s Laruan extended his mastery over 2008 Prince Cup champion and world championship bronze medalist Jonathan Polosan of Cagayan de Oro in a four-rounder that could have gone either way.

Pabalate earned the judges nod as the best fighter and Laruan emerged as the most improved fighter with Polosan displaying the best wai kru in the Muay Association of the Philippines premier event hosted by Bauang, La Union Mayor Bobby de Guzman with PTT Philippines Corp. as partner.

2008 world championship silver medalist Jay Harold Gregorio of Zamboanga City joins Pabalate, Laruan, Polosan and Sawangin in the Muay Team Philippines to the first Asian Martial Arts Games in Bangkok in June.

Baguio City’s Jay Olod, 2007 SEA Games bronze medal winner, chalked up the shortest victory as he pummeled greenhorn Johnson Kayachen of Bontoc, Mt. Province to submission in the first round.

Philippine Olympic Festival (POF) champions Alvin Velasco and Tyrone Naticho, both of Baguio City, pulled off upsets over 2007 bronze medal winners Antipolo City’s Ronnie Catampatan (in world championship) and Cebu City’s Eugene Toquero (in Asian championship), respectively.