Banal overwhelms Jordan, reaches boxing final vs Dinolan

MAASIN CITY, Philippines – Mandaue City’s Hipolito Banal Jr. dominated General Santos’ Joash Jordan to barge into the boys’ light flyweight finals of the PLDT-ABAP National Boxing Championships at the Maasin City gym here yesterday.

The 15-year-old Banal, youngest brother of WBO bantamweight contender AJ, proved too much for Jordan as the Kabankalan National High School freshman flashed a lightning-quick punching style matched by superb footwork to fashion out a lopsided 28-8 win.

He will shoot for the crown against Davao del Norte’s John Patrick Dinolan, who edged Bago City’s Mario Jaga, 8-4.

Dinolan is one of the eight boxers from the Davao del Norte squad, a team that produced London Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga.

Like teammate Dinola, Michael John Bahena made it to the gold medal round after disposing of General Santos’ Reymart Gaballo with a first round RSC (referee-stopped contest) win in the flyweight category.

The win set Bahena up against Tagbiliran’s Kenneth Paul Gentalla, who foiled Bago’s Adrian Tambanilo, 18-12.

Other Davao del Norte bets fighting for berths in the finals at press time are Gabriel Rabicyle (pin), Maruelo Aballe (light), Victorio Saludar III (elite lightfly), Jolan Bunghanoy (elite fly), Quirino  Mellejor, Jr. (elite bantam) and Risty Apas (elite light).

In boys’ pinweight division, Himamaylan’s Mario Bautista bested Misamis Oriental’s Jeronil Borres and Mandaue’s Jeffrey Estrella trounced Tayabas’ Aldrin Signar, 19-10, to forge a gold medal clash.

In girls’ flyweight action, General Santos’ Liezel Mae Alde, who won over Airene Pamisa, 19-14, and host’s Ruby Nicanor, who defeated Northern Samar’s Judith Balasangay, will battle for the gold.

General Santos’ Alexcel Dargantes turned back Ma. Lourdes Taboso of Leyte, 11-7, to arrange a lightflyweight gold medal match with the winner between Tayabas’ Anjanette Oabel and Misamis Oriental’s Beverly Casero.