Saturday, July 07, 2007 Quijano: The last round does the rounds By Jingo Quijano Last Round
I HOPE to bump into you tonight at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino for another exciting boxing event, this time co-promoted by SGG Promotions and BP Promotions of Korea.
The main event is a novelty in our shores, in the sense that none of the protagonists are Filipinos. Instead, we have Young Sung Kim of Korea against Kongtoranee Por Surasak of Thailand. At stake is the WBO Asia Pacific junior welterweight crown.
Seeing action on the co-feature will be Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, one of my favorite boxers, who campaigns at 105 lbs. Nietes is one of our brighter prospects for a world crown and he is known for his colorful ring entrances wherein he drapes his pet python across his torso ala “Zuma”.
I am also looking forward to the women’s bout featuring Korean Kim Bo Young and our very own Judith Subingsubing. Just a thought…It would be utterly hilarious if they introduced round dudes instead of round girls this time around.
Do I hear any volunteers out there?
DOING THE ROUNDS. I am sometimes posed with queries about boxing gyms and equipment. I can always give proper information gathered from various sources, but this columnist has decided that there is no better way than to actually try out these gyms and equipment for myself.
Hence, for purposes of research and for the sake of my ever-expanding waistline, this Last Rounder is going on an experiment—to hit the bags and the mitts and experience first hand the boxing programs currently being offered here in Cebu City.
I play basketball, badminton and lift some weights, but I expect the boxing workouts to be more challenging. Hopefully after a few months I will be able to give you my assessment of the boxing programs.
Do not thank me, guys, its part of this column’s creed of being the “boxing fan’s column for the boxing fan”. (Yeah right. It actually is just another excuse to down some last rounds after I do the rounds. Whatever the case, wish me luck)
THURSDAY HOOPS. After a tough but exciting best-of-three showdown, the Wednesday Club (ROGRATS) basketball team beat AD Auto Sales 78-73 to claim the 4th Thursday Club basketball tournament at the Capitol Parish gym.
The young and talented hoopsters from the Cebu City Sports Club showed poise down the stretch and managed to protect their lead despite several spirited attempts by the gutsy kids mostly based from Labangon and A. Lopez Sts.
Ably chaired by former Crispa Redmanizer stalwart Freddieboy Serafica, the Thursday Club tournament was a resounding success and hopes to attract even more visiting teams next year.
SENSELESS. The Last Round tolls the bell for Jake Gallano Chan, who died the other day, an innocent victim of a stray bullet fired by some warring gang members.
Chan, who hails from Tacloban City would have taken the Bar exam later this year, and God willing, would probably have been my compañero this time around next year.
Having grown up in the mean streets of L. Lopez St. and being a member of two fraternities, I have come to understand that the social sickness that afflicts our youth is a burden that we all must share. At the end of the day, we are also responsible for what our kids have become.
I might not be able to save every one of my lost younger brothers out there, but I would like to believe that in my own little way, as a sports columnist writing about a sport I love and which is a way out for every young kid out there who believes in his dreams, I might be able to show them a different path, so there won’t have to be any more Jake Chans out there, taken away so young and so full of promise.
THE LAST ROUND. It’s on an old friend that I will always affectionately remember for her warm smiles and helping hands, the gorgeous Atty. Joy Redoble who is celebrating her birthday this week. Happy birthday and Cheers!
