MANILA, Philippines - Aldrin Signar of Tayabas demolished Eljay Taparo of Kabaka Manila, 17-7, while Matnog-B’s Raymark Foster clobbered Ben John Magno of Zambales, 15-7, at the start of the PLDT-ABAP National Capital Region-Luzon Area tournament in Iba, Zambales Tuesday.
Signar dominated Taparo from start to finish while Foster stamped his class over Magno to fashion out the victories in the 46-kg. pinweight division. Fernel Gaspi of Sorsogon nipped Jomari Ferdiloses of Zambales-A, 6-3, in the other contest.
In the 48kg junior light flyweight.class, La Union’s Aldrin Tatunay turned back Arche Esteleydes of Tayabas, 8-4; Arnold delos Santos of Olongapo stopped Marjohn Jakaran of Zambales (RSC) in the second round; and Rizal Technological University’s Porferio Aus Jr. halted Tarlac’s Jonathan Agus (RSC), also in the second round.
Richard Agora of Tayabas scored a second round RSC decision over John Paul Bermudez of Tarlac in the lone 46kg youth boys pinweight bout in the event graced by Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.
“The NCR-Luzon tourney is the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines’ way of energizing the sport in the region to help it be at par with Visayas and Mindanao,†said ABAP president Ricky Vargas.
In 49kg youth light flyweight, Ryan Torres of San Fernando City defeated Alvin Defeo of Rizal Tech, 17-12; and Reynard Sitenta of Zambales forced the first round retirement of Urdaneta’s Jerome Pacun.
In the 53 kg youth boys flyweight class, Jess Ganayan of Iba, Zamabales scored a first round RSC victory over Kevin Puzon of La Union, and Kabaka Manila’s Jay Mingote downed Rodolfo Baino of Laguna, 16-7.
The winners here, along with the qualifiers from the other regional competitions – Bago City (Visayas) and General Santos City (Mindanao) will gain slots in the National Championship set Feb. 17-23 in Maasin, Southern Leyte.