Tagbilaran, Misamis Oriental pugs triumph

MANILA, Philippines - Tagbilaran claimed four golds and Misamis Oriental followed with three as they dominated the Mayor Freddie Tinga Cup National Invitational Amateur Boxing Championships before a huge crowd at the Don Ambrosio Gym of the Cantada Sports Center in Bagumbayan, Taguig City Monday.

The Tagbilaran fighters went on to clinch the overall team honors in the event presented by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and organized by the Joe Cantada Sports in coordination with the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines.

Metro Manila snatched two golds while Mandaue City secured one in the thrilling finals among some of the country’s raw but promising simonpures.

Light paperweight Jessel Magsayo kicked off the Tagbilaran boxers’ gold rush with a 15-3 win over Joran Labordo of Bacolod City followed by Bernard Torres who scored a 17-3 win over Ranshane Sarquilla of Cotabato in the junior pinweight division.

 Frank Isidro then claimed a 14-12 decision over Jesamel dela Zerra of Metro Manila in their flyweight bout while Melvin Besinga made it four for the team with a 19-8 win over bantam Johnson Roque Iligan of Puerto Princesa.

Misamis leaned on the heroics of   Macrea Gandiongco who retired Leopoldo Lumacad of Cotabato in the third round of their junior light paperweight match, Rerie Munez who defeated John Merced of Puerto Princesa 15-6 in the youth pinweight class and junior lightfly Albert Pagara, 12-2 winner over Ruben Sebugan of Bacolod City.

Scoring for Metro-Manila were Ruiz Lorenz Tesorio over Michael Romarate of Mandaue City, 23-10, in the youth lightfly division and junior bantam Joel Bacho who beat Mark David Lontayao of Taguig, 6-2.

Joseph Ibalang gave Mandaue City its lone gold via 25-4 beating of Robert Tampong of Puerto Princesa in the junior flyweight class.