IT wasn’t only AJ “The Bazooka” Banal who fell short of his target last week, but the whole Team Philippines in the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation.
Hours before the Banal suffered an embarrassing 10th-round KO in front of a jam-packed crowd at the Cebu Coliseum, Team Philippines also had to endure a humiliating setback—losing the overall crown in an arnis competition for the second straight year.
“It is a repeat of what happened in 2004. We were practically giving away medals for not being able to fill in all divisions,” said American Scott Sleazak who now competes for Team Philippines.
After winning 20 gold medals to the US’ 10 in the first day of the competition, the Philippines, which have been preparing months to take the crown back, couldn’t sustain their haul in the next few days.
“We became too busy with the preparings for the hosting that we left out one important thing—the team,” said Wekaf chairman emeritus Diony Cańete.
Though the Philippines lost two in what could have been due to sloppy officiating, the final standings have the US running away with 44 gold medals to the home team’s 35.
First loss
And with the next world championships going to Mexico in 2010, the Philippines best eskrimadors will have to wait for 2012 before they could mount a real threat against the US reign.
Or suffer yet a third straight debacle at home.
Hours later, Banal, touted as some—including Freddie Roach himself—to be the next big thing in Philippine boxing, suffered his first loss in his first title shot against Rafael Concepcion of Panama.
Banal was ahead on all score cards before a vicious right felled him 2:35 into the 10th round, losing his shot for the WBA interim super flyweight crown.
“He did it on heart. We came here to win. When we got here, everybody was talking about AJ. We didn’t make a big fuss,” said Concepcion’s manager Damon de Berry.
After a brief stay at the hospital, Banal, who dropped to 17-1-1 with 14 KOs, was later found out to have low electrolytes, while experts and so-called experts offered their take on the sudden reversal of the title fight.
“His mind told him to get up but his body just wouldn’t let him,” said Michael Aldeguer.
It was the second straight defeat by an ALA boy in a world title fight in Cebu. In 2007, Z Gorres lost by split decision to Fernando Montiel. (ML)
