PINOY BOXERS OFF TO ROUSING START IN PRESIDENT?S CUP IN JAKARTA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 04 Jul 2011
The Philippine boxing team to the 21st President?s Cup boxing tournament at the Senayan Indoor Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia has gotten off to a rousing start on opening day.
The PLDT-ABAP National Boxing Team sent three boxers into the ring and all three scored comfortable victories against solid opponents. The charge was led by 2008 World Championships bronze medalist Josie Gabuco.
Gabuco gave India's multi-titled world champion Mary Kom a tough fight when they clashed in the 3rd Asian Indoor Games, holding Kom to a mere 2-1 lead until the third round before the world champion pulled away to win 7-3 in a hotly contested bout..
Gabuco completely out-boxer her Nepalese opponent Marua Chaudury in the light-flyweight (48 Kg) category. She intimidated Chaudury with her sudden flurries and dazzling speed en route to a 21-0 shutout win.
Gabuco was followed by another classy female boxer Analisa Cruz, who was coming off a bronze medal finish in the China Open held in Guiyang last May. She faced Beatrix Sugoro of host Indonesia, who was buoyed by the lusty cheering of the hometown crowd.
ABAP executive director Ed Picson, head of the Philippine delegation told the Inquirer that Cruz ?initially appeared startled by the loud cheers even at missed punches by her opponent but easily settled down and silenced the crowd with a stunning 17-10 victory? in the 51 Kg class.
Picson reported that 16 year old neophyte Clark Bautista who hails from Bacolod fought like a veteran by putting away a gritty and taller boxer from Myanmar, Htet Aung in a slam-bang 3-round affair.
Bautista has been waiting on the fringes for his opportunity during the past two years behind better-known fighters like Mark Anthony Barriga and Victoriio Saludar. Given a break in Jakarta Bautista displayed controlled aggression and varied attacks to the face and body to come away with a resounding 16-8 decision in the light-flyweight category.
Picson was guarded in his assessment of our boxers chances. He said ?this is only the beginning. It?s a tough field out there. While our women boxers are tested internationalists, five of our six male boxers are teenagers, almost all of them with no international experience.?
He added, ?we need to hone them early and this is a great opportunity. The favored teams here are China, Russia, India, Mongolia and Kazakhstan, but our boxers are undaunted and have prepared hard for this.?
Twenty-eight countries are entered in the tournament. Thailand, the proverbial opponent of the Philippines, was a no-show after the AIBA (the International Boxing Association) suspended the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand just last week.
The rest of the Philippine team is composed of Charly Suarez (60Kg), Edilio Abrea (52 Kg.), Nico Magliquian (56 Kg), Nathaniel Montealto (64 Kg), Fil-Am Mico Brina (69 Kg) and 2010 World Championships quarterfinalist Nesthy Petecio on the distaff side.
Coaches are Ronald Chavez, Sonny Dollente and Mitchel Martinez (women). Their trip here is bankrolled by PLDT and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Accel, Powerade and Clusivol.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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