BAGO PUGS WON OVER-ALL CHAMP IN 2ND GOVERNOR’S CUP SLUGFEST

BAGO City Boxing Team won 7 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals in the scheduled 17 bouts to bag the over-all championship honor in the just-concluded 2nd Governor’s Cup Boxing Tournament at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center, Monday.

Mario Jaga booked the first gold medal for Bago team after defeating John Rey Calago of Sipalay City in the 36 kgs while Jomon Pamplona won over Archie Moyani, also of Sipalay City, in the 40 kgs.

In the 19-under category, Martin Cordova outscored Cadiz City’s Eric Hulleza in the 48 kgs as Rafael Sueno out boxed Joshua Yap of San Carlos City in the 51 kgs while Rubin Dingcong won over Allan Villaspin of Sipalay City via walkover. Villaspin suffered swelling gums by which the attending physician prevented him to fight.

Meanwhile, in the 57 kgs, James Palicte stopped Sipalay’s Niel Prasio in 24 seconds of the first round off a strong right cross on the latter’s chin which forced him to retire. Likewise, Raymund Toledo halted Robert Penuela of Talisay City on a Referee Stop Contest (RSC) with 2:30 minutes of the first round.

On the other hand, 1^st District booked 6 gold, 4 silver and 7 bonze medals to grab the over-all first runner-up honors, by which 4 gold medals came from the neophyte – Don Salvador Benedicto sluggers.

Wilmer Casiple first registered the gold medal off a win on points over Bago City’s Niel tambanillo in the 26 kgs as Mark Gian Duoma outclassed Sipalay’s Romel Hangalay in the 30 kgs while Regemil Siabo prevailed over Eleazar de Asis of EB Magalona in the 32 kgs as Alexander Campos defeated Allan Libo-on of Bago City in the 34 kgs.

Also grabbing gold medals for the 1^st District were Jomar Sagayle of Escalante City winning over John Mark Tihuk of Sipalay City in the 28 kgs while Jaypee Oro of Toboso out-pointed James Carlo Catalogo of Siplaya City in the 60 kgs.

Himamaylan’s Anthony Montinola and Philippine Team’s Ian Bautista’s younger brother Jordan bested their respective weight divisions to book 2 gold medals for their team and grabbed the over-all 2^nd runner-up honors.

Speed and quality punches gave Montinola the edge over Jojo Bulanon of Toboso in the  45 kgs 16-under while Bautista outclassed Bago City’s Adrian Tambanillo in the 42 kgs.

Cities of Sipalay and Sagay bagged a gold medal apiece courtesy of Benie Aday and Aljun Oro.

Aday won over Johansil Villarido of San Carlos City in the 38 kgs while de Oro stopped Jason Vallador of Himamaylan City with 38 seconds of the second round in the 45 kgs 19-under division.

In the female category, Cristy Rivas of Sipalay City halted Jenelyn Laguna of Toboso at the end of the first round while Himamaylan’s May-may Pasuit and Julza Gelarzo of Calatrava ended a draw in the 60 kgs.

Executive Assistant and Provincial Sports Coordinator Angel Verdeflor thanked all the participating teams during the awarding ceremony for their continuing support to Gov. Marañon’s sports program.  He stressed that though some boxers did not win the gold but encouraged those to keep practicing as the provincial government’s sports program will be there to help and assist the aspiring boxers attain their dreams.

Meanwhile the tournament was spearheaded by Cecile Ojos, Provincial Boxing Coordinator, alongside Jury members Bert Alison and Nonoy Quiachon; Referee/Judges Guillermo Retiban, Louie Alison, Ariel Pachica, erving Antonio, Cris Cape, Rex Ferrer and Roldan Pama; timekeeper Sanny Villagonzalo, and ring announcer Henceboy Cestina./JEROME S. GALUNAN JR.