Bautista sustains fine form, stuns Euro Cup champ

MANILA, Philippines - Lightfly Ian Clark Bautista followed up his explosive international debut with a more impressive victory Tuesday, beating European Cup champion Alexander Somoilov of Russia for a sure bronze in the 21st President’s Cup in Jakarta.

The 16-year-old Bautista, who humbled veteran Htet Aung of Myanmar Monday, cut the taller, heftier Somoilov down to size with his speed and awesome power, scoring a convincing 13-5 romp at the Senayan Indoor Stadium.

Riding on the 108-lb Bautista’s giant-slaying feat, the inspired PLDT-ABAP team, backed by ABAP chairman Manny Pangilinan and president Ricky Vargas, won four of their five matches in Day 2 of the tournament which attracted 28 teams from various parts of the world.

Overall, the Filipino pugs chalked up nine wins against three losses.

Nesthy Petecio, 19, also assured himself of a bronze as he waylaid Mongolia’s Shinetsetseg Davaasuren, 32-4, while team captain Charly Suarez bucked a tentative start to stamp his class over Kenji Fujita of Japan, 14-6.

Nathaniel Montealto booked the other bronze medal as he whisked off local bet Vinky Montolu, 11-8, to cap Team Phl’s solid campaign in the day marred by a commotion from a few disgruntled fans.

Nico Magliquian, however, bowed to Vietnamese Nguyen Van Hai, 9-19.

The Montealto-Montolu fight was on even terms at 7 after the first two rounds at 4-4 then 7-7 until Montealto carried the final round on the judges’ scorecards. But some fans tried to start a riot that halted the next bout which was already on its second round.

ABAP executive director Ed Picson, delegation head, ordered the team to immediately pull out and head back to the hotel to avoid further agitation.

“We didn’t want to spoil the mood and detract from our boxers’ achievements. Besides, we still have a lot of work to do. The tougher tasks are ahead of us. We intend to remain focused,” he said.

Meanwhile, Josie Gabuco, Analisa Cruz, and Suarez go for semis berths as they take on separate rivals in the quarterfinal round Wednesday.

The Philippine coaching staff is composed of former Olympian Ronald Chavez, Sonny Dollente and Mitchel Martinez (women).