DAVAO CITY -- Powerhouse Cagayan de Oro City dominated the PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup Mindanao Finals by harvesting a total of 10 gold medals and one silver at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center here Wednesday evening.
CDO’s John Paul Panuayan proved too strong for Kidapawan City entry Jan Reyan Daperan whom he defeated via referee-stopped-contest (RSC), 25 seconds in the second round of their youth boys lightweight division clash.
John Ignatius Macas, Kim Bryan Cabrillos, John Erl Palivino, Mark Lester Durens, Jessa Lycca Caranagan and Elaide Pamisa and Dave Bryan Caspe bagged one gold each.
Macas scored a unanimous 5-0 win over Jobert Paala of Sultan Kudarat in youth boys flyweight championship bout of the tournament co-organized by the PSC and the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI).
Pamisa and Caspe pulled off walkover wins over Allysa Gleza Mae Balaba in youth girls light flyweight and Kim Delmar Macaangga of Digos City in junior boys bantamweight, respectively.
Cagayan de Oro boxers Cabrillos (junior boys light bantamweight), Palivino (junior boys flyweight), Durens (junior boys light flyweight) and Caranagan (junior girls light flyweight) also demolished their respective opponents.
Cabrillos defeated Almar Rigor of Digos, 5-0, while Palivino beat Rhonan dela Pena of General Santos City, 5-0. Durens also clinched the gold over Rey John Apale of Digos, 5-0, as Caranagan overcame Kidapawan’s Mearyldyan Manso, 4-1.
Peter John Payla of Cagayan de Oro lost to Joven Paala of Sultan Kudarat in a split decision, 3-2, of their junior boys pinweight event collision.
Jake Sone Saludar, brother of former Asian Games champion Rey Saludar, of Polomolok, South Cotabato, bested Ariel Almamento of General City, 5-0, in youth boys light flyweight.
Cagayan de Oro coach Elmer Pamisa thanked Mayor Oscar Moreno for his all-out support to the team.
“Hindi namin mararating ito kundi sa tulong nya (Moreno),” Pamisa said, hoping that the city also wins golds as the tournament progresses to the preliminary round of the national championship set in Mandaluyong City on June 16-17.
He added that their sterling feat is a product of their city’s consistent and honest program for boxing.
“If may makita kasi kami na potential, di bale ng di masyadong magaling basta may puso, sinasali namin. May benefits din sila na libreng aral, may allowance and food," he said, adding they have to train at least two times a day.
Pamisa said their boxers’ discipline during training and the support of Moreno were key factors to CDO’s dominance in amateur boxing in recent years. Northern Mindanao also emerged overall champion in the Palarong Pambansa 2018 in Ilocos Sur last month.
The team set their sight on the upcoming Philippine National Games (PNG) 2018 in Cebu City this May.
PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey said the grassroots boxing program is the bridge for boxers to realize their dreams.
“I believe the first Olympic gold will come from Mindanao and boxing plays a big part in making it happen,” Maxey said. He presented a plaque of appreciation to host Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio and Sports Development Division chief Michael Denton Aportadera received it on her behalf.
Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines executive director Ed Picson also graced the Mindanao finals. (PSC-PSI/ABM)