CEBU, Philippines – Inspired by the ardent cheers of hometown fans, the promising pugilists of Talisay City outclassed their rivals from Consolacion during their amateur boxing encounter billed as “TACABA Boys versus Batang ‘Lacion” witnessed by an overflowing crowd the other night in Brgy. Dumlog, Talisay City.
The action-packed tiff was part of the grassroots sports development program of the Talisay City Amateur Boxing Association (TACABA) under the leadership of Resty Seville.
The rest of the TACABA officials are international boxing referee/judge Teddy Alivio, Edwin Enerlan, Val Ylanan, and Dumlog Brgy. Capt. Charles Basillote, who co-presented the slambang show with Abejo Builders through the efforts of Borgy Abejo.
Out of the 19 bouts that lasted a little over two hours, Talisay notched 13 victories, dropping only six matches against the visiting Consolacion simonpures.
Sori Canonigo and Delmar Cabatas spearheaded Talisay’s victorious campaign. Canonigo scraped through a 2-1 triumph over Jocel Gestopa in one of the most applauded fights of the night under the 53 kgs. division, while Cabatas scord a 3-0 shutout of Jovan Munoz in the 48 kgs. category.
Christian Silva stared the ball rolling for Talisay after edging out Jay-R Molina via Referee Stopped Contest-Outclassed (RSC-O). The Talisaynons racked up three more wins - all by 3-0 whitewash courtesy of Marco Pumar, Kicheron Garces, and Cede Noblefranca over Alvin Alforo, Clent Gersale, and Vincent Sacor, respectively.
Consolacion’s Jorge Edusma doused cold water on Talisay’s hot streak with a 3-0 drubbing of Noligen Yray.
Again, Talisay swept the next four matches. Brian Abaquita and Jerson Denoyo bested Clent Monterola and Gerald Alivio both by 3-0 verdicts, Steven Noblefranca pulled a 2-1 squeaker over Manuel Camoro, while Bob Anthony Bacus forced Joseph de la Peña to surrender in the second round.
But the gritty Consolacion warriors showed a courageous resistance in the face of a boisterous partisan crowd by chalking up four consecutive wins. Elmar Pulvera and Roldan Berezo won by retirement over Jerymar Panilag and Marco Apollo Pacaña, while Clent Taotowan and Jaylord Bangis record similar 3-0 whipping of Joseph Bacayan and Ronel Flores.
That was, however, the best Consolacion could muster as the Talisaynons, banking on the so-called homecourt magic, took four of the last bouts courtesy of Reynante Noblefranca, Memar Dula, Delmar Cabatas, and Sori Canonigo. Noblefranca outlasted Wendin Berao, while Dula mauled Winston Manulat, 3-0.
Alvin Camoro nailed Consolacion’s sixth and final victory via retirement at the expense of Noel Yanong.
The highly-successful event was also supported by the members of Dumlog barangay council namely Nelson Abellana, Jun Guba, Bob Cañizares, Hob de la Cuesta, Mitcher Belleza, Anthony Villaver, Gerry Empaces, and SK chairman Hughes Yagaya.
Since its establishment two years ago, TACABA has been actively involved in amateur boxing with fervent hopes of molding future ring stars of the country, be it an Olympian or a world champion. -THE FREEMAN