TWO Cebu City boxers logged wins, while it was a split for Cebu Province after the opening day of the boxing event of the Philippine National Games (PNG) yesterday in the Cebu Coliseum.
Cebu City’s Rodex Piala and Johnro Taneo, and Cebu Province’s Kit Niño Abatayo were victorious in their opening bouts. April Jay Abne of Cebu Province fell short.
Piala walked away with a close split decision over Bohol’s Rodel Suganob in an exciting Elite Men bantamweight division fight.
The fight was nip-and-tuck with both fighters exchanging vicious shots. Piala, however, was more accurate with his punches and was given the close nod.
Taneo, in the meantime, stopped Victorias’ Geniel Alit in the third round of their Youth Men flyweight division bout.
“The training that we did, with the tactical skills, is very effective. The kids listened and they have very good coordination,” Team Cebu City coach Jordan Dopalco told SunStar Cebu.
Abatayo of Cebu Province was very impressive and just needed a single round to beat Davao Occidental’s Marlon Bernanbe via stoppage in the Youth Men light flyweight bout.
Both fighters came out swinging in an all-out brawl. Abatayon laded a one-two combination that landed flush on Bernabe’s face for a standing eight-count. He landed a flurry of heavy blows to the head that forced the referee to give another standing eight-count and finally waved it off in 2:14 mark of the opening round.
Cebu Province’s Abne, in the meantime, dropped a close split decision against Cagayan de Oro’s John Ignatius Macas in the Youth Men flyweight division.
The bout had a frenetic pace with both fighters immediately throwing some heavy bombs. Abne mixed it up early by targeting Macas’ head and body. Macas, however, was more accurate with his shots and had a strong finish in the third round that won him the close fight.
Meanwhile, Cebu Province continued its dominance in the men’s volleyball tournament after the Grace Antigua-mentored Cebu Province beat San Juan City , 25-17, 25-17 and 25-19.
Cebu Province, which is anchored on veterans Norvie Labuga and Ariel Calumba, and Philippine national team player Dave Cabaron, is now 2-0 in the competition.
Cebu City walked away with a default win over Mandaue City. (EKA)