Cruz rallies to beat Myanmar bet

GUIYANG, China – Lone Filipina bet Analisa Cruz overcame a poor start and a tough Naing Hnin Mo of Myanmar as she hacked out an 11-6 victory in the China Open boxing tournament here yesterday. 

Cruz, 27, trailed in the early going but picked up the pace in the middle rounds, scoring on crisp combinations to the back-tracking Myanmar bet, who seemed to have lost steam after being on the receiving end of the petite Filipina’s barrage.

There was more of the same in the fourth as Cruz, who was sidelined last year due to a shoulder injury, sustained her attack to fashion out the convincing win.

The Occidental Mindoro native goes up against vaunted Chinese Ren Can Can, the nemesis of retired Filipina Annie Albania.

Can Can won the gold in the Asian Games in 2010 and the World Championships in 2008 and 2010.

 Coaches Ronald Chavez and Roel Velasco said they have devised a fight plan against the fancied Chinese.

Meanwhile, the Saludar brothers – Rey and Victorio – start their respective campaigns against Korean and Tajikistan foes, respectively.