Filipino achievers stamp supremacy in international sports

SINCE Nonito Donaire Jr. captured the World Boxing Organization and the World Boxing Council bantamweight championship belts two weeks ago, three more of our "kababayans" joined the leaderboard after topping their respective sports discipline. Nonito "The Filipino Flash," won convincingly his third title belt after he demolished Mexican Fernando Montiel with a thunderous left hook on his temple which eventually forced him to submission on the second round of their scheduled 12-round bout.

Last Saturday (Manila time), Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton retained her World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight championship crown against American challenger Franchesca "The Chosen One" Alcanter via unanimous decision. The fiery Fil-Am champ who visited Manila before the encounter at the Craneway Pavilion Point in Richmond, California several weeks ago, held at bay her stronger and more experienced foe with constant jabs and solid combinations from the start of the bell to the end of their 10-round encounter. She followed cautiously to the hilt coach Freddie's fight plans for her.

Ana who hopes to visit the country soon won th coveted championship title by split decision from Maria Elena Villalobos last June. Famed American coach-trainer of Manny "The Pacman" Pacquiao, Freddie Roach, who owns the world boxing record of eight championship belts in eight different weight divisions failed to be at the corner of Ana as earlier announced. Ana also trained under the eagle eyes of Roach. It was Angelo Rey/who served as her manager who served the conerman. Alcanter who had 1 17 win, 10 loss card with 9 KO's before she climbed the ring never got her bearing against Ana who raised her score card to 8-2-1 with one K0. Ana was quick to thank her countrymen after her victory. "Hello, Philippines. I dedicate this fight to all of you out there," she said. Her promoter Allan Tremblay of Orion Sports said "a fight in the Philippines is likely next for the first and only lady boxing champion from the Philippines!" When this event happens here,on our shores expect another bonanza world boxing event which will set the sporting hearts of Filipinos on fire! Again, let us congratulate our boxing heroine for placing our Pinay boxers on the world map!

Still on the sports warpath. Last Saturday, Feb 28, Dennis OrcollO proved to be the nemesis of Netherland's Neild Feijen at the 2011 World 8-ball Championship held at the Fujairaj Exhibition Center, United Arab Emirates. Orcollo who was named one of the"Athletes of the Year" by the Philippine Sportwriters, Association (PSA) during its awards rites tonight ruled the finals with a 10-3 and made himself richer by $40,000. Of course we are all happy for Dennis who became the third Filipino to win the prestigious World 8-Ball Championship. Efren "Bata" Reyes dubbed as the "Magician" was on top of the scoreboard in 2004 while another Pinoy international cue master Ronnie Alcano was the world's best of the best in 2007.

As destiny fashioned it to be Warren Kiamco just on Monday this week continued the Filipino's fire power with flourish, capturing the Annual US Bar Table Championship 8-Ball Division crown. Kiamco, a former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist ended the pulse-beating duel against Canadian John Morra with a 5-2 triumph held at the Sands Regency Hotel in Reno, Nevada. He pocketed $9,650 (P415,000) for his feat.

By and large, the sterling performances of the Filipino athletes for the last few days, in pro-boxing and billiards demonstrate to all and sundry and to the world that we are also a global power in sports. The forthcoming 26th SEA Games to be staged in Indonesia in November this year is another big venue to showcase our talent and skills. It is only lamentable that at this time the national sports authorities are still questing for the Filipino athletes to compose the Philippine delegation to the sportsfest. "Baka late na naman tayo, mga sirs!" Why, even my good friend Tony Candelaria, president of the Wushu Federation of the Philippines, Crodillera Administrative Region is getting uncomfortable as time is running out fast. Baguio is a gold mine for wushu martial arts international warriors. Will it sustain the accolade even with its

Limited support? This remains to be seen!

Headline: Pinays breach top 10 world ratings (Philippine Star-Inside Sports on Feb. 15, 2011). I do not know if you took notice of the sports news. I did, with pride and contentment, which is why I would like to share the good news particularly to all Cordillerans. Barely four weeks ago, the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) released the Top 10 of the February 2011 world rankings in the women's division. At least two Filipino lady boxers made it to the top 10. Our very own Cordilleran Alice Kate Appari is ranked No.4 among all campaigners, worldwide, in the 48 kgs. division. Her sparkling light flyweight bronze medal finish in the 6th AIBA World Women's Championships held at Bridgetown, Barbados late last year accelerated her status to the honor roll. Alice for the third consecutive year from 2008 to 2010 was also named "Athlete of the Year" by the National Correspondents Club of Baguio(NCCB) Kafagway Sports Awards and Recognition Program. Mark Eddiva, a consistent medalist in several international wushufest was co-holder of the prestigious title.

The other Filipina boxer who is on the seventh place in the 54 kgs. class is Nesthy Petecio. The lady pugilists will vie for berth in the 2011 AIBA world joust set in Chongqing, China, according to ABAP Executive Director Ed Picson. More power to you Alice! Welcome to Congressman and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao coach Freddie Roach and other members of "The Pacman's" training team to our beautiful city of people, places and events. We are all in the know that sir Manny will be here to start a monthlong training sked in preparation for his title fight against American challenger "Sugar" Shane Mosley. The much awaited tussle is billed at the MGM Grand Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 7 (May 8 Manila Time). This is the third time in his illustrious career, to train up here. Welcome apo Pacquiao! Enjoy once again the invigorating climate and grandeur of the Summer Capital of the Philippines of which you are a part!

Last Sunday, the Baguio Elderly Assembly (BEA) led by yours truly and my wife Sol, sister Stela, couples Jaime Castro and a core of devotees offered a holy mass at the NCCB Shrine of the Brown Madonna along Km. 7 Asin Road. The celebrant was also Rev. Fr. German Ledesma. It was a thanksgiving mass for Nonito Donaire's and Ana Julaton's victory as top Filipino prizefighters. It was a mass and candlelight ceremony dedicated to the victims of the recent killer earthquake in New Zealand and all Filipinos in crisis in Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East.