Pagara makes rousing debut as ALA fighter

CEBU, Philippines - Albert Pagara made an auspicious debut under the wings of the fabled ALA Boxing Gym as he stunned a favored Mandaue City fighter in the resumption of the Mayor Jonas Cortes Boxing at the Park Amateur Series at the Mandaue City Plaza Square the other night.

Pagara, a native of Misamis Oriental, scraped through a close 2-1 victory over Mandaue’s Christian Apawan in their 56 kgs. battle.

Apawan’s teammates Michael Romarate and Basilio Sultan also hurdled their respective assignments.

Palarong Pambansa silver medallist Romarate, a student of Cabancalan National High School, overcame a spirited resistance by Escalante’s Melvin Gumban to hack out a 2-1 win in the 54 kgs. division, while Basilio Sultan proved too much for University of the Visayas’ Robert Labanza in the same category.

Three other Cabancalan pugilists edmerged victorious, although one of their comrades faltered.

Vicente Seos-e, Jr. punched a 3-0 whitewash of Talamban’s Jodel Patindol in the 25 kgs., while Ferde San Roque and Krisvie Jake Abarquez grabbed a 2-1 win against Talamban’s Kevin Jake Cataraja and Bais’s Richard Barrios, respectively, both in the 45 kgs. class.

Jeramel Alcover, however, was not as lucky as he was bowing to Maguikay’s Cherwellan Cantel in the other 45 kgs. duel.

Another boxer from Misamis Oriental, Rey Muñez, also made his mark by posting a 2-1 triumph over UV’s Danlou Codilla in the 48 kgs.

Of the four UV bets, only 57 kgs. bet Melvin Besinga came out triumphant, beating Rhyan Canillas of Toledo City. His teammate Bryan Remedio fell prey to Mabolo’s Raymund Namocatcat in the 39 kgs.

Namocatcat’s teammate Christian Bacolod also delivered the goods with an impressive win in the 43 kgs. class over Lapu-Lapu’s Elecio Taruc.

First-timer Elicio Eyac grabbed part of the limelight as he closed the 12-bout action with a convincing 3-0 win against Basak’s Ricky Traya in the 54 kgs. category. (THE FREEMAN)