PLDT-ABAP NATIONAL BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 OPENS IN MAASIN CITY
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 19 Feb 2013
MAASIN CITY - The long-awaited National Boxing Championships opened Monday in this capital city of the province of Southern Leyte. It was attended by Ed Picson, the ABAP Executive Director who was with his wife Karina Picson, an AIBA-accredited jury/international technical official (ITO).
This writer welcomed the delegates and officials in behalf of the people of Maasin City. Congressman Roger Mercado of Southern Leyte also delivered an inspirational message. I cited the importance of the national sporting event to the economy of the city and in promoting its potentials including being the most peaceful city in Region 8.
Picson said that the new name for ABAP is Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines. The amateur tag was removed following AIBA's example of naming it simply International Boxing Association.
Cong. Mercado cited the unity of the city officials and provincial officials as the main reason for the successful hosting of the ABAP National Championships. This is the first national sporting event in Southern Leyte and the first national boxing championships in the entire Eastern Visayas.
Twenty four teams sent boxers which include Sorsogon, Tayabas, Zambales, La Union, and Iba-Zambales from Luzon; Mandaue, Cebu City, Bago City, Negros Occidental, Northern Samar, Tagbilaran, Leyte, and Maasin City from the Visayas; Davao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, General Santos, Aglayan, Davao City, Mati, Cabadbaran, Camiguin, Sarangani, Pacman Sarangani and Balingasag. There was a total of 132 boxers entered, including lady boxers.
The winners of the first day opening preliminary bouts are Junior boys Ibones (General Santos), Jeronil Borres (Misamis Oriental), Dick Espinola (Northern Samar), Aldrin Signar (Tayabas), Fernel Gaspi (Sorsogon), Jeffrey Estella (Mandaue), Jayson Ladrillo (Leyte), and Marvin Tabamo (MisOr), Youth boys Lou Alde (GenSan), Raymart Flores (Bago), Aldren Moreno (Pacman), Ryan Torres (La Union), Leonard Bulacan (Mati), Regged Angco (Maasin), and Elite boys Marvin Esquirdo (MisOr), Genesis Libranza (Cabadbaran), Allan Refuela (Cebu) and Jolan Bunghanoy (Davao del Norte).
Dante de Castro, president of the Amateur Boxing Referees and Judges Asociation of the Philippines (ABREJAP), was impressed of the preparations of the city including a standard boxing ring, nice hotel accommodations and up-to-date meal allowances for boxers and coaches.
The highlight of the opening ceremonies wowed the full-packed City Gym as the lighting of the flame and the urn was made Olympic style, complete with pyrotechnics. Prior to the opening program, there was a short parade. Pilipinas Got Talent Season 3 national winner Maasinhon Trio sang the prayer and serenades. The ABAP officials said it was the best opening ceremonies in the history of the National Boxing Championships.
Top photo (L-R): ABAP Executive Director Ed Picson, Mayor Maloney Samaco and Congressman Roger Mercado.
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