Nat’l pugs shine; Claveria bags 4th gold

MANILA, Philippines - Mario Fernandez kept his pride and his lofty position in the national team intact when he spearheaded the victories of the seeded boxers yesterday in the 2014 Philippine National Games.

The 20-year-old gold medalist in the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar strolled past his opponents en route to the gold medal in the elite men’s bantamweight class.

It took Fernandez three victories to clinch the gold in the event where members of the national team are being pitted against those aspiring to take their positions.

But as far as national coach Roel Velasco is concerned, the national boxers in the elite level are just too good for the others.

“Hindi din talaga umubra yung iba pagdating sa elite level (The others didn’t stand a chance in the elite level),” said Velasco, a bronze medalist in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

A total of 28 boxing golds were disputed the last three days at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex with different weight classes in the boys and girls youth and boys and girls elite.

Velasco said Fernandez, of the Philippine Air Force, was so impressive in his three wins, including a 3-0 decision over Jonas Bacho, also of the Philippine team.

Rey Saludar, a gold medalist in the 2010 Asian Games, beat Roldan Boncales Jr., 2-1, in the finals of the elite men’s flyweight. Dennis Galvan, gold medalist in the 2011 SEA Games, won the elite light-welter gold with a first-round knockout of Maasin’s Richard Bacala.

Josie Gabuco, another gold medalist in the 2013 SEA Games, bagged the gold in the elite women’s flyweight with third-round stoppage of Cagayan de Oro’s Jeanvee Flores.

In the youth division, lightfly Jayson Daming and flyweight Hipolito Banal Jr. of the national pool lost their respective semis bouts to eventual gold medalists Junrel Jimenez of Cebu and Mario Bautista of Negros.

“Understandable sa youth kasi hindi pa masyado intact ang mga laro nila,” said Velasco.

Action continued at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex pool where San Pedro’s Skyler Claveria won his fourth gold medal, this time ruling the boys’ 100m fly and 100m breaststroke.

Precilla Aquino was also worth watching, winning her fourth gold in the meet with victories in girls’ 200m IM, 100m breast and 800m free.