Palaro standout, Olympian’s sons shine in ABAP meet

A three-time Palarong Pambansa gold medalist took centerstage while the sons of a former Olympian made their presence felt in the opening day of the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship at the Puerto Princesa coliseum. Mark Anthony Barriga of Panabo City hacked out an impressive victory over Arjay Aguilar of Bicol, 23-1, to advance to the quarterfinals of the junior boys’ pinweight category of the five-day tourney which stakes 14 slots in the national youth squad.

The 16-year-old Barriga, a first-year commerce student from Panabo College who dominated the past thre editions of the Palaro, bombarded Aguilar with a flurry of head and body punches right from the opening bell to notch the lopsided win that impressed national coaches Pat Gaspi, Romeo Brin, Roel Velasco and Boy Catolico. The four coaches were on the sidelines to scout potential talents that will compete in the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics in August. “Gusto ko talaga siyang ma-knock out para mapasama ako sa RP (youth) team," said Barriga, the second of the three children of a machine operator and a housekeeper. “Pero mahaba pa ‘yan. Marami pang pwedeng mangyari. Magagaling din ang mga kalaban ko dito." Also impressive were the sons of 1992 Barcelona Olympian Roberto Jalnaiz who are representing Misamis Oriental. Rafael Jalnaiz, 10, pulled off an 11-5 decision over Kent Jasper Fuentes of Palawan in the kids’ vacuum weight category while his elder brother, 12-year-old Robert Miguel, humbled Jeffrey Stella of Mandue City, 13-3, in the kids’ ant weight category. “Araw-araw ang ensayo ng mga batang iyan. Tinututukan ko talaga sila dahil alam kong maraming malalakas (na kalaban) dito," said Jalnaiz, best remembered as the lone Filipino gold medalist in the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. Rounding up the winners circle in the kids’ ant weight class were Michael Joerge Codilla, who won over Joseph Orevello, 10-9; Justine Carl Fajardo of Puerto Princesa A, who stopped Jake Tabares of Caloocan in the second round; and Romer Dagoy of Zamboanga, who edged Dave Luna of Puerto Princesa C, 13-11. In the kids’ vacuum weight, Ryan Jaime Flores of Bago City emerged victorious over Jason Pia of Davao, 10-7; Wencyl Brian Abes of Baguio City dominated Franklin Pagdatu of Puerto Princesa C, 16-11; Rhezon Tarona of Mandaue City clobbered John Zedrick Borce of Puerto Princesa A, 12-7; Mario Bautista of Negros Occidental conquered Jude Chia of Puerto Princesa B, 21-7; and Robert Paradero of Bukidnon stopped Emmanuel Tapia Jr. in the second round. In the school boys’ light mosquito weight class, Michael Bahena was declared the winner after Ryan Torres of La Union gave him a head butt while Matthew Jagmis of Puerto Princesa C posted an 18-12 victory over Jayson Dagelio of Tagbilaran. Eljean Hermedalla of Bacolod A and Philip Luis Cuerdo of Mandaluyong also won, pummeling Sonny Sagbaulan of Puerto Princesa B (9-1) and McJoe Lozada of Palawan (23-11), respectively. - GMANews.TV