THE six-member Calinan Boxing Team of Davao City is seeking to win gold medals when the Smart Abap National Amateur Boxing Championships unfurls in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan this weekend.
Davao City Councilor Louie Villafuerte, also the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (Abap)-Calinan head, bared this during a phone interview with sportswriters Thursday.
"Our boxers are prepared for the tournament. They've trained for it. I really hope they win considering the stiff competition ahead since this is what Abap dubbed as Battle of Champions," Villafuerte said.
He said the six boxers, including Smart Abap Mindanao gold medalists James Bajenting and Nice Petecio, have been invited to the national slugfest by virtue of their sterling performances in Panabo City last year.
Joining the Librado Sagarino Jr.-coached team are Jose Noces, Jr., Ian Jay Gallardo, Joseph Cabaluna and brothers John Carlo and John Bryan Noces.
"I've told them (boxers) to just play and work hard and that I have confidence in them," Villafuerte said.
The Abap-Calinan chief said he will join the team on January 27 yet as he will still attend the City Council session on the 26th.
"I hope they make it through the semi-finals on January 27 so I can still witness their fights," Villafuerte said. (MLSA)