Two Mandaue bets march into gold medal round in Taguig slugfest

CEBU, Philippines - Team Mandaue City is left with only two boxers to fight for gold in the 2009 Mayor Freddie Tinga Cup National Invitational Amateur Boxing Championships even as three of is bets secured bronze medals at the Don Ambrosio gym of the Cantada Sports Center in Bagumbayan, Taguig City.

After seeing two of his comrades falter, Joseph Ebala gamely rose to challenge, stopping Charlie Vertuzado of Misamis Oriental at 45 seconds in the second round to advance into the semifinals of the 52 kgs. category.

Ebalang's teammate Michael Romarate gained an outright final berth courtesy of a lucky draw in the 49 kgs. class. Romarate will face next Taguig’s Lorenzo Tesorio for gold.

It was not all jubilation though for the Mandauehanons as Reoxyl Tabongon fell prey to Macria Ganpiongco of MisOr to settle for a bronze in the 42 kgs. in the same way with Gerald Suico and Mark Bernaldez.

Suico lost to Bernard Torres, while Bernaldez bowed to Melvin Besinga. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)