5 SoCot pugs advance to Batang Pinoy semis

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Five boxers from South Cotabato province have advanced to the semifinal round after winning their elimination bouts in the ongoing 2018 Batang Pinoy national championships in Baguio City.   

Siblings Jude Vincent, Jose Angelou and John Dave Villaverde, Daniel Dasilao and Hazel Grace Catalbas will attempt to crack the medal round during the semis matches on Thursday, September 20, at the Baguio City National High School.

Jose Roy Fresco, South Cotabato boxing coach, said Tuesday the five boxers are in their top condition and have good chances of advancing all the way to the championship fights.

“They are in tip-top shape and determined, and will not settle for anything but the gold,” he said in an interview.

Jude Vincent, 14, will fight for the schoolboys light paperweight division (40kg) while Jose Angelou, 15, will compete in the junior boys light flyweight division (48kg).

John Dave, 16, the silver medallist in the bantamweight division (54kg) in the 2018 Palarong Pambansa, will fight in the same category.

Fresco said John Dave has gained attention as among the fighters to watch in the Batang Pinoy championship after winning the gold medal in the Mindanao leg last March in Oroquieta City.

He said Dasilao will see action in the light bantamweight division (52kg) while Catalbas will fight in the junior girls’ pinweight division (44-46kg).

Catalbas also won the gold medal during the Mindanao leg and is among the top championship hopefuls in her category. (PNA)