Host Mandaue to field in 3 teams

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City wants to be the best, not only as the event host but also as the overall champion by fielding in three teams in the 2010 Smart-ABAP Visayas Amateur Boxing Championships set to open this Tuesday at the city’s Plaza Square.

Mandaue did not join last year’s regional qualifying and this time, they want to make up for its absence by sending its best bets pooled in three groups. Each squad is composed of experienced and promising pugilists who underwent an extensive training regimen at Cebu's fabled ALA Boxing Gym.

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP)-organized fisctic showdown features two divisions - the juniors for aspiring pugs aged 15 to 16 years old and the youth for the 17-18 age classification.

46 kgs. Kevin Jake Cataraja, 48 kgs. Sherwilliam Cantil, 52 kgs. Albert Pagara and 57 kgs. Mark Bernaldez form part of Mandaue Team A's warriors in the juniors class, while 46 kgs. Danlou Codilla, 49 kgs. Reoxyl Tabogon, 52 kgs. Michael Romarate, 56 kgs. Christian Apawan, 60 kgs. Melvin Besinga and 64 kgs. Robert Eturma will see action in the youth bracket.

Mandaue Team B-Cabancalan will send only one entry in the juniors category in 46 kgs. Elecio Taruc along with youth fighters Ferdie San Roque, Rie Muñez, Basilio Sultan, Robert Labanza and Rhian Canillas.

Mandaue Team C-Maguikay, on the other hand, will have junior boxer Raymond Namucatcat and youth ring gladiators Christian Bacolod, Ritchie Montealto, Rayboi Pepito and Jan Ivor Lastrella.

Aside from the Mandaue City-sponsored teams, two other Mandaue-based clubs are also taking part in the slambang event - Sanai Boxing Club and Philippine-Australia Boxing Club.

The other teams which have already confirmed their participation in the four-day slugfest are from Team Cebu City-Omega, Consolacion, Bago, Bacolod, Maasin, Boracay, Cabatuan of Iloilo Province, Dumaguete, Bayawan, Bais, Tagbilaran, Sipalay, Sagay, Candoni, Siaton, Negros Oriental, Matalom, Ormoc, Tacloban and Northern Samar. (FREEMAN SPORTS)