Olongapo, Laguna pugs shine

MANILA, Philippines - Angeles City’s Fernando Tacuyan whipped Tayabas City A’s Jerson Magliquian, 3-0, to lead the opening day winners in the PLDT-ABAP Luzon Area boxing tournament last Sunday at the Subic gym in Subic.

The youngest among the fighting Tacuyan brothers, the 15-year-old Fernando displayed fine form to outclass his rival in the 46-kg junior boys division.

Fernando’s brother Orlando, 22, is a 60 kg. campaigner with the Philippine Air Force, while Rolando, 19, another 60 kg. fighter, is with the national team.

The local bets also dominated the Clusivol-backed tournament organized by ABAP, led by chairman Manny Pangilinan and president Ricky Vargas, for upcoming boxers 11 to 18 years old as part of nationwide talent search program.

A pair of young warriors from nearby Olongapo City and from Laguna posted contrasting victories over their respective opponents from neighboring regions.

Carlo John Espartero scored a referee-stopped-contest (0.56/2nd round) decision over Tayabas City’s Ryan Almusara in the 44 kg. division, while John Mark Pajareto disposed of Baguio City’s Jude Cheng, 8-5, in the 46 kg. class.

Laguna’s Dexter Dimaculangan drubbed Christian Bacsa of Nueva Vizcaya, 21-10, in the 46 kg. bracket, and Laguna B’s Melvin Meneses followed suit with an RSC decision (1:25/3rd round) over Bamban, Tarlac’s Dionir Soland in the 51 kg. group.

Tayabas’ Jonji Maritava rapped another Bamban, Tarlac fighter, Wilmer Guevarra, 20-11, in the 28 kg. kids division, while Norman Estramadura of Casiguran, Sorsogon, routed Tayabas City B’s Jack Castor in the same weight class.

In other bouts, Nueva Ecija’s Joshua Sapadan crushed Romblon’s Jeson Morada, 27-4 (44 kg.), La Union’s Alvin Jay Dulce stopped Laguna’s Richard Sabaldica (RSC/1:06/1st), and Nueva Vizcaya A’s Alvin Bolante halted NV stablemate Rodel Calanse (RSC/2:25/3rd).