DAVAO CITY – Young boxers from General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat and Barangay Aglayan beat their respective rivals to barge into the Mindanao Quarter Finals of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup at the Robinsons Place in General Santos City.
Sultan Kudarat’s Remark Brillo made his presence felt by knocking out Zaldy Recopuerto of Malungon, Sarangani Province in the Youth Boys bantamweight (56 kg.) division on Sunday.
His younger brother Jason Brillo also advanced into the quarterfinals by outpointing Malungon’s Alfred Gomez in the Junior Boys light flyweight (48 kg.) division earlier on Saturday.
Two young boxers from host General Santos City – Ariel Almamento and Criz Sander Laurente --also entered the quarter finals slated on February 10 and 11 in Kidapawan City.
Almamento won by points over Ferdinand Melegrito of Barangay Labangal-Gensan in the Youth Boys light flyweight (45-49 kg.) while Laurente escaped via a split decision against Nichole Jhon Ligas of Digos in the Youth Boys flyweight (52 kg.).
Barangay Aglayan-Gensan’s Ben John Rey Yagahon and Arceboy Baranggan also scored convincing wins in the Jr. Boys light flyweight (48 kg.) and Youth Boys flyweight (52 kg.), respectively.
Yagahon outclassed Labangal’s Alvin John Sumodlayon while Baranggan crushed Malungon’s Carl Joshua Rafael.
PSC Commissioner Celia Kiram, PSC Executive director lawyer Sannah Frivaldo and Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) national director Mark Edward Velasco graced the formal opening of the nationwide amateur boxing grassroots program on Saturday held in coordination with the office of Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
Earlier, all fighters of Davao City also easily had advanced into the quarterfinals due to a bye in the draw of lots.
The National Finals will also be held in Gen. Santos City on May 5.
The other results:
Youth Boys light flyweight (46-49 kg.): Jake Sone Saludar of Polomolok def. Christian Lanutan of Malungon Youth Boys flyweight (52 kg.): John Ignatius Macas def. Nino Kongkong of Koronadal Jr.
Boys Pinweight (44-46 kg.) – James Errol Gahaton of Labangal def. Kim Jade Sagrado of Aglayan. (Lito delos Reyes/PNA)
