VICTORY PARTY OF TEAM PHILIPPINES: ALA Saddened By No-Show of City Dads
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 17 Aug 2007
Well-loved sportsman Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer, acknowledged as the godfather of Cebu boxing, couldn't hide away his disappointment on the no-show of Cebu City officials they invited to grace the victory party of Team Philippines the other night at the Marriott Hotel.
In a gesture of courtesy that he had always been known for, Aldeguer invited City Mayor Tomas Osme?a and city councilors Sylvan "Jack" Jakosalem and Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba to attend the simple bash he hosted for the ALA Boxing Team as tribute to their heroic conquest of Mexico in the Boxing World Cup recently.
But none of them came.
"It's so sad. None of the three City officials we invited came or even just drop by to congratulate the boys," lamented Aldeguer.
ALA Boxing Gym executive vice president Jerry Bandalan said Osme?a turned down the invitation due to prior commitments. Jakosalem confirmed his attendance, while Alcoseba promised to drop by, but both of them failed to make it to the memorable affair.
Mandaue City executives headed by Mayor Jonas Cortez (C) welcomed the victorious boxers.
"Maybe they didn't realize that this is a victory not only for the Philippines, but also for Cebu because these are all Cebu-based boxers," added the ALA Boxing Gym big boss obviously referring to Z "The Dream" Gorres, AJ "Bazooka" Banal, and Michael Domingo.
Gorres, whose masterful display of ring craftsmanship vaulted him to an eighth round TKO win over former WBC light flyweight champion Eric Ortiz to snatch the IBF Intercontinental super flyweight title, is from Brgy. Ibabao, Mandaue City.
Good thing that Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortez was there so personally extend his congratulations to the ALA Boys especially to Gorres for bringing honor to the Mandauehanons.
On the other hand, Banal, who scored an electrifying third round knockout of Jorge Cardenas, traces his roots from Corella, Bohol but was born and raised up in Brgy. Ermita, Cebu City.
In fact prior to being christened as "Bazooka", Banal was nicknamed "Batang Ermita" in his personal profile on philboxing.com and boxrec.com. At the moment, he is considered as the next big thing in RP boxing and no less than celebrated American trainer Freddie Roach described him as the best young prospect in the world.
For his part, Domingo hails from Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, but resides and made his mark in Cebu for three years now. He pulled off a stunner when he tamed the previously undefeated Miguel Roman by a lopsided unanimous decision.
Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista, the lone casualty of RP Team in six bouts against Mexico losing via a shocking first round knockout to WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon, is from Candijay, Bohol but is more popular here in the Queen City of the South.
Gerry Pe?alosa, who dethroned Jhonny Gonzalez via a seventh round knockout to grab the WBO bantamweight crown, is from Negros Occidental, but carved his name in the hallowed portals of boxing here in Cebu under the guidance of Aldeguer and Rex "Wakee" Salud.
The sixth member of Team Philippines that brought home the gold and diamond-stuffed US$500,000 World Cup trophy is Diosdado Gabi, who was also impressive in chopping down Jose Angel Beranza. Gabi is from Davao City, making all the Filipino World Cup conquerors from the proud Bisaya-speaking territory.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel B. Villaruel.
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