SIXTY-TWO boxers from different cities and provinces are vying for the slots in the much-awaited Visayas quarterfinals of the PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup on February 24 and 25 at the Enan Chong Activity Center (ECAC) in Naga City, Cebu.
The winners will move up to the semifinal round on March 10 in San Jose, Antique, according to supervising technical director Rogelio Fortaleza of PSC Philippine Sports Institute.
Teams Omega-Mandaue and Bago City are the top qualifiers with seven boxers each seeing action in the two-day event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in coordination with the Office of Senator Manny Pacquiao.
Omega will be bannered by Alex Andrhei Bonita (44-46 kg), Jim Paul Dignos (48 kgs.) and Gaudfrey Lubiano (50 kg.) in the Junior Boys Division.
Omega also has Arlan Wenn Melgo (46-49 kg.), April Jay Abne (52 kg.), Jhorhe Pasculado (56 kg.) and Jarah Hury Aragon (60 kg.) in the Youth Boys category.
Bago is composed of Rodel Gamo (44-46 kg.), Samuel Manale (48 kg.), Stephen Plania (50 kg.) and Flint Jara (52 kg.) in the Junior Boys and Carlo Guevarra (46-49 kg.), Jasper John Anida (56 kg.) and Mark Lyndon Bolanos (60 kg.) in the Youth Boys.
Murcia and Victorias City each have six boxers while Cebu City has five qualifiers – Angelo Bulasa Jr., Eduardo Jimenez, Jake Tabanao, John Paul Gabunelas and Limbert Cainap. Cebu City Sports Institute only has one – Jimmybie Cais (Youth Boys 46-49 kg.).
Escalante has four while the cities of Maasin, Sipalay, Cadiz, Bayawan, and Calbayog each have three qualifiers.
The Visayas Finals will be held on March 31 in Maasin City. (PNA)