CALBAYOG CITY, Samar -- All is now set for Calbayog City’s hosting of the Visayas semifinals of the PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup on March 17 at the Calbayog Bus Terminal.
At least 40 boxers from different cities, municipalities and provinces will be seeing action.
“It was originally slated at East Awang covered court. But City Mayor Rodolfo Aquino had decided to transfer it to a bigger venue at the bus terminal,” said Rogelio Fortaleza, Supervising Technical Director of the Philippine Sports Institute.
At least 3,000 people are expected due to the presence also of the special guest 1996 Sydney Olympics silver medalist Mansuelto “Onyok” Velasco of Bago City.
A technical meeting with the coaches will be held on March 16 at 4:30 p.m. at the Marju Krissel Resort while the official weigh-in is on March 17 at 7 a.m. at the Calbayog Pilot Central School.
A confirmation of attendance was also held today (Friday) at the same school.
“We would also like to thank the help and hospitality of School Principal Doleriano Cacait Jr. for also allowing our boxers to stay at the school,” said Annie Ruiz of the PSC Secretariat.
Bago City, dubbed as the “Boxing Capital of the Philippines” has the most number of qualifiers with a total of nine followed by Victorias City with six.
Team Omega from Mandaue has five, Murcia with four while Cebu and Escalante both with three.
The winners will advance to the Visayas Finals set in Maasin City on May 5.
The nationwide grassroots development program in amateur boxing is sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission under Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez in coordination with the Office of Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
The match-ups are:
JR. GIRLS PINWEIGHT (44-46 KG.) Tricia Marie Llamas (Cebu) vs. Jilyn dela Cruz (LSA) Jeyann Medriano (Talisay) bye
JR. BOYS PINWEIGHT (44-46 KG.) Kane Paul Redondo (Neg. Occidental) vs. Kim Catedrilla (SBC) Rodel Gamo (Bago) vs. Armand Jake Aragon (Murcia)
JR. BOYS LIGHT FLYWEIGHT (48 KG.) Eduardo Jimenez (Cebu) vs. Eduardo Luceno Jr. (Escalante) Samuel Manale (Bago) vs. Johncy Dolorosa (Victorias)
JR. BOYS FLYWEIGHT (50 KG.) Gaudfrey Lubiano (Omega) vs Christian Lanchica (Victorias) Joshua Belicena (Bago) vs. Nixon Anito (Sipalay)
JR. BOYS LIGHT BANTAMWEIGHT (52 KG.) Jorin Varona (La Carlota) vs. Jowil Saludo (Victorias) Flint Jara (Bago) vs. Jonimel John Dajao (Murcia)
JR. BOYS BANTAMWEIIGHT (54 KG.) Sugar Ray Montales (Bago) vs. James Bryan Wild (Omega) Iann Lloyd Gesalan (Maasin) vs. Arby Jay Bernil (Murcia)
YOUTH BOYS LIGHT FLYWEIGHT (46-49 KG.) Michael Adolfo (Cadiz) vs. Edmund Oro (Escalante) Carlo Guevarra (Bago) vs. John Paul Gabunelas (Cebu)
YOUTH BOYS FLYWEIGHT (52 KG.) Geniel Alit (Victorias) vs. Nel Tambanillo (Bago) Johnro Taneo (CCSI) vs. April Jay Abne (Omega)
YOUTH BOYS BANTAMWEIGHT (56 KG.) Herlan Gomez (Victorias) vs. Jasper John Anida (Bago) Mike Angelo dela Torre (Murcia) vs. Jhorhe Pasculado (Omega)
YOUTH BOYS LIGHTWEIGHT (60 KG.) Reymart Soledad (Victorias) vs. Romer Pinili (Bayawan) Jarah Hury Aragon (Omega) vs. Mark Lyndon Bolanos (Bago) (Lito delos Reyes/PNA)
