Monday, March 31, 2008 Padilla: RP now has 5 world boxing champs in orbit By Nars Padilla Sportscope
LET'S call a spade a spade. For the record, our dear motherland has now at least five Pinoy world boxing champions in several weight divisions. The latest of course is Manny Pacquiao who on March 15 dethroned Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez and wrestled the WBC (World Boxing Council) super featherweight crown via a split decision after 12 rounds "slug-it-out" encounter at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, USA. It was a dramatic "do-or-die" finish for both the Pacman and Marquez. The bout could have gone either way. But the scorecard from the three judges told it all and sealed the victory for the Filipino boxing icon. Judges Jerry Roth saw it 115-112 for Marquez, judge Duane Ford had it 115-112 for Pacquiao and substitute judge Tom Miller scored it 113-112 for Pacquiao.
In short the final verdict was a split decision in favor of our ring idol. To me the judges' decision was fare and square. And we should abide and stand by it. There is no doubt that the bout was a bloody and punishing night for the protagonists. Both ended the fight with ugly cuts near their eyes with blood oozing from them particularly during the last three scary rounds. It was not surprising at all that Marquez claimed he was robbed and elbowed out of the throne in a controversial fashion. It was really, from any perspective, a very close judges' call. Thousands of sports fans do not agree with the judges' decision. That's their own business and opinion. They are entitled to it. But the fact remains! Manny Pacquiao, our and the nation's boxing hero, also dubbed appropriately the "Mexican Assassin" is the new RP world boxing titlist. We are proud of his achievement. The other four fellow countrymen champions in the core are Gerry Peñalosa (WBO bantamweight); Nonito Donaire (IBF super flyweight); Florante Condes (IBF minimum weight) and Donnie Nietes (WBO minimum weight). Manny is the legitimate conqueror of Mexico's boxing legends Eric Morales, Antonio Barrera and of late Marquez, among others. By any yardstick the boxers gave our country fame and glory and pride! Pacquiao, his wife Jinky and members of his boxing entourage arrived back home last Monday. The Pacman was accorded a hero's welcome.
Aside from an enthusiastic motorcade reception, Pacquiao was also warmly and dearly greeted and welcomed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at Malacañang Palace. He also graced the Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Awards rites at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel where GMA inducted him into the Elorde Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, let us rejoice! Let's pray and cross our fingers and hope for Pinoys to win medals in the forthcoming Beijing Olympics this summer. This is indeed a very tall order. But let's wait and see.
Only recently, our Team Baguio car racer powered by defending Hillclimb champion Carlos Anton went off the track with a very impressive start in the first round of the Philippine Hillclimb Championship series in Nasubo, Batangas. Carlos zoomed to a perfect start in his title defense bid. In Group 4, parading an Evolution 6 while clocking the day's best time of 2:21.67 to capture the crown. His teammates Alfie Concepcion, Dennis Aoyong and Imay Datu also made waves in their respective individual racing groups. Concepcion and Aoyong placed second and third in Group 3 while Datu was a mere second tick behind the winner in Group 2.
Immediately after the race, Carlos on invitation of AK Motorsports flew to Guam to launch and showcase the 2008 Lexus 1S400 car-racing model, which he described as a "beast" with a monster speed. The next leg of the Hillclimb championships will be staged in the Benguet hills on March 29 and 30 according to Carlos. Be there when it happens!
Preparations for the traditional EMA Cup Golf Tournament billed at the Baguio Country Club fairways are in full swing. The 18-hole tour, which was founded by sportsman and former congressman, lawyer Edgar M. Avila, will be on center stage on April 12 with tee off time scheduled at 6 o'clock in the morning. The invitational golfest is for the benefit of the Rotary Club of Downtown Session and the St. Theresa Cordillera Foundation. The tournament format scoring system for guest-participants will be System 36 modified Stableford while the Medal System will be applied for members of the Baguio Country Club. There will be four men's categories with one ladies class. Dr. William "Doc Willy" Occidental, tournament director said the registration fee is pegged at P1,000 for members of the Country Club and P2,000 for non-members. In a nutshell, the fee entitles the golfer, aside from the fun, fellowship and adventure on the greens, a souvenir golf item and dinner and entertainment during the awards and recognition rites which will highlight the day's special event. Ely Adora Santos is the president of the sponsoring Rotary Club.
The just-concluded Kafagway Summerbest Holy Week offering 2008 was an overwhelming success. In a way, the series of cultural, tourism and religious activities in its calendared events helped, in no small measure, generated to make our beautiful city truly an ecumenical religious-spiritual center. It also propelled the city as an international tourist destination through its "Baguio Lucky Foreign Visitor '08" sked. More on this on the forthcoming Sun.Star issues featuring the lucky Norwegians.
