Angana bros, Balabal nail SEAG berths

MANILA, Philippines - Ifugao sensation Jason Balabal and brothers Margarito Jr. and Jimmy Angana stamped their class in the recent national wrestling championships and will defend their respective titles in the coming 26th Southeast Asian Games this November in Indonesia.

Balabal, representing the Ifugao State University (IFSU), trounced Melvin Sia of Manila in the finals of the 84 kg freestyle event while Angana of Zamboanga City triumphed over Elvis Julius of IFSU in the 66kg in the event held at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Activity Center as part of the 2011 Adidas Martial Arts Festival.

Margarito Angana Jr. toyed with his Zamboanga City wrestling teammate Marlou Onrubia in their championship match in the Greco-Roman 55kg division at the Manuel Roxas High School in Quezon City, the main event of the 1st Coun. Edcel Lagman, Jr. wrestling championship.

Zamboanga City emerged the team champion, followed by Manila and Quezon City, respectively, in the Championship Cup, after the results in the freestyle and Greco-Roman events were totaled.

The national wrestling championships served as the second and final qualifying rounds for aspirant Filipino wrestlers for the 26th SEA Games. The first round was during the Philippine National Games held last May in Bacolod City.

The Philippine Wrestling Team coaching staff and the Wrestling Association of the Philippines will finalize soonest on who among the other national champions will officially qualify for the limited slots offered for wrestling (5 for Greco-Roman, 5 for freestyle and three for women wrestling) in the coming SEA Games.