MANILA, Philippines - Lorenz Labrada, Jeronel Borres and Marvin Tabamo toppled their respective rivals to lead the early winners in the PLDT-ABAP Mindanao Area Tournament at the Tourism Hall in Cagayan de Oro City last Monday.
Labrada of CdO-Team B dominated Reny Oblad of Bukidnon in their light flyweight match (juniors), Borres of CdO-A whisked off Ressen Pronco, also of Bukidnon, in youth-pinweight class, while Tabamo, also of CdO-A, beat Camiguin’s Gilbert Rey Jerosalem in youth-flyweight.
The event drew 86 boxers from 14 teams throughout the region with ABAP vice chairman and CDO City Mayor Oscar Moreno gracing the opener where he exhorted the fighters to do their best and contribute to the efforts of ABAP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and president Ricky Vargas to win the country’s first Olympic gold through the sport.
For his part, ABAP vice president and former Baguio City Mayor Peter Rey Bautista rallied not only the boxers and coaches but also the parents of the participants to encourage their children to get into sports and excel in their chosen disciplines.
In other results, Jaybe Canedo of Camiguin disposed of Ramil Masado of Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat in pinweight of the Youth Boys category (17-18 years old), Lutayan’s Reymark Ibones (youth, flyweight) decisioned Pacman Team’s Edgardo Cartagena, John Bryan Noces of Calinan, Davao prevailed over Mendez’s Xavier Piastro in youth-lightweight, while Valentine Linio of Lutayan defeated Jonal Tamial of Pacman.
Tournament supervisor is AIBA 3-star International Referee-Judge Roger Fortaleza while competition manager is AIBA International Technical Official (ITO) Karina Picson. Liaisoning for the CDO team is Oscar Cinco.
Among the officials are AIBA 1-star International Referees-Judges Ludy Ceriales of Misamis Oriental, Michael Monton of Bohol, Fernie Lou Abing of CDO, Guillermo Retiban of Talisay, Negros Occidental and Martin Sonido of Iloilo.