OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental — After a sweeping finish in the recent PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup Mindanao semifinals in Cagayan de Oro, the wards of Mayor Oscar S. Moreno were seem running out of luck after a heart-breaking start in the ongoing Batang Pinoy competition here.
Opening for another rigorous campaign of CdeO’s 10-man amateur boxing team for 13 to 15 years old children, junior boys flyweight Kim Bryan Cabrillos fought toe-to-toe with Carl John Austria of Panabo on Wednesday’s well-attended boxing showdown at the Provincial Capitol Park.
Cabrillos looked tentative at the start but managed to put on a show in the first two rounds, even sending the Panabo pug to the floor, though the ring referee quickly ruled it a slip.
The Oro bet could have won the fight with sustained aggression but he mellowed in the closing round, thus allowing Austria to escape with a 3-2 split decision.
Cagayan de Oro sports coordinator Jaymar Rivera, however, remains optimistic that the well-funded boxing squad will make a difference for the city’s quest for glory in the multifarious Batang Pinoy Meet.
“Kini tanan nga boksingero among gidala dinhi puro ni sila kombate maka-away para sa medalya,” the always casual Rivera told this writer before Cabrillos climbed up the ring for CdeO’s first fight in boxing event that will run up for five days.
After Day 2 of action, Davao del Norte amassed 11 golds, 6 silvers and 8 bronzes to lead in the medal race, followed by Koronadal City and Davao City with 9 and 6 golds apiece. South Cotabato, General Santos City, Dipolog City and Zamboanga City have 5 golds each; Cotabato province 3, Bukidnon, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte and Hagonoy, Davao del Sur with 2 golds each. Cagayan de Oro is tied with Panabo City and Kidapawan City with only a single gold to show.
Cagayan de Oro’s first gold came from 15-year-old Jivie Magnetico of Bulua National High School who ruled in long jump competition, despite coming here with the rest of the 12-man athletics team with only a meager support from Cagayan de Oro’s LGU.
Meanwhile, Peter Payla and company showed readiness to do battle in the national finals of the PSC-Pacman slugfest set on March 27-29 in Davao City.
Following in the footsteps of his older brother Violeto Payla, the 2006 Guang Zhou, China Asian Games gold medalist, Peter led the Oro charge in sweeping domination over Davao foes during the Mindanao semis qualifier held some weeks ago at the Macasandig covered court in Cagayan de Oro.
Duplicating the younger Payla’s feat in 46 kgs were Mark Lester Durens ( 48 kgs), John Earl Palovino (50 kgs.), Kim Bryan Cabrillos and Dave Bryan Caspe (both in 52 kgs,), while Ignacio Macas and John Panuayan advanced to the finals in the 56 and 60 kgs, respectively.
Their female counterparts: Mary Ann Laug-Laug ( 46 kgs), Jessa Lycca Caranagan (48 kgs), Elaide Pamisa (47 kgs), Irene Alice Caranagan (50 kgs) and Bebe Porres (52 kgs) were also triumphant.
“Kusog ilang gipakita ug akong dahum nga mapasar nila ang tanan hagit,” then said Rivera. (With reports from Jaime A. Joshua Frias II)