DAVAO CITY -- At least 100 boxers coming from different cities and provinces are seeing action Saturday (December 16) and Sunday (December 17) for the Mindanao Preliminary of the PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup at the Robinsons Place in General Santos City.
The early birds are from Davao City, Sarangani Province, Polomolok, Sultan Kudarat, Digos City, Kidapawan, Manatad Extenstion-South Cotabato and Bukidnon.
Host city will have two teams -- Gen. Santos City and Barangay Labangal.
“We’re still waiting for Cagayan de Oro City and the other teams,” said supervising technical director Rogelio Fortaleza.
Panabo City was earlier invited but the invitation letter was not received by the multi-titled Barangay Una team of Rep. Tony Boy Floirendo.
Davao City had earlier wanted to have two teams with the other one coming from Barangay Calinan.
“But we did not have enough funds and the transportation of our boxers were sponsored by their own parents,” said head coach Librado Sagrado Jr.
Team Gensan under coach Titing Laurente is considered as one the early favorites in the two-day event sponsored and organized by the Philippine Sports Commission in coordination with Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
PSC Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez will be the guest speaker in the opening program Saturday noon. Also expected to grace the event are Mayor Ronnel Rivera and Councilor Bobby Pacquiao, chairman of the Gensan SP Committee on Youth, Sports and Physical Fitness.
Gensan will be bannered by two-time Batang Pinoy champion and 2016 Philippine National Games gold medalist RV Denega and 2015 Batang Pinoy champion Shirllyngil Napoles (girl’s 54 kg.).
Davao City, however, has 2016 Palarong Pambansa national champion and Batang Pinoy Mindanao Finals gold medalist John Ednoel Prevendido (Youth 46-49 kg.), Batang Pinoy National 2017 silver medalist Joshua Padual (Youth boys 56 kg.),
DAVRAA champions Emmanuel Canubas (44 kg.), Curt NNelgy Manigsasa (52 kg.) and Reymond Alpuera (48 kg.)
Senator's Pacquiao’s young cousin Jan Reyan Dapidran will also carry the colors of Davao City in the Youth 64 kg. category.
The winners of the knockout elimination will advance into the Quarter Finals on February 10 and 11 in Kidapawan City.
The Semi-finals will be on March 3 in Cagayan de Oro Ciity while the Mindanao Finals is on March 24 in Davao City. (PNA)
