Travel-weary RP boxers open bid vs tough foes

USTI NAB LABEM, Czech Republic - It took Team Caltex Philippines an exhausting 30-hour journey to reach this mountainous Bohemian city of Central Europe but the Filipino pugs remain in high spirits, ready to do battle in the 31st Grand Prix international boxing tournament here.

The brief three-day slugfest gets underway Friday with the Pinoy fighters, sponsored by Caltex, Pacific Heights, the Philippines Sports Commission and Adidas as the official outfitter, setting out as darkhorse for the overall championship in the presence of mighty teams such as Cuba, Russia and Romania.

The RP coaching staff, headed by Cuban Raul Liranza, said this is the toughest tourney the Philippines is participating in since last year's World Cup in Houston and they feel the Filipino bets will have their hands full in their bid to duplicate their haul of three golds, one silver and one bronze for second place behind the host nation here in 1995.

Back then, Roel Velasco, Sonny Dollente and Ronald Chavez emerged champions, Romeo Lavega first runner-up and Reynaldo Galido second runner-up.

Liranza is not complaining, though, saying this kind of tournament is what the team needs in their preparation for the final Asian Olympic qualifier next month in Bangkok, Thailand.

"Class A tournament but we need this. Actually we need six to eight tourneys like this each year if we were to win gold medals in the Olympics," said Liranza in halting English.

Likewise joining the Czech slugfest as part of their buildup for the Olympic qualifier and the Olympics itself are two other Asian powers in Thailand and Kazakhstan.

The organizing Czech Boxing Association is expecting at least 15 nations, and other teams already in the registry are Canada, Poland, Estonia, India and Austria.

Lightflyweight Danilo Lerio, flyweight Arlan Lerio, bantamweight Roel Laguna, featherweight Ramil Zambales, lightweight Larry Semillano, light welterweight Anthony Igusquiza and welterweight Reynaldo Galido are the Filipino bets seeing action in the tough competition that will feature several Olympic gold medalists, including Cuban Felix Savon and Thai Somluck Kamsing.

The official weigh-in and medical checkup are set at 7-8 a.m. Friday, followed by the drawing of lots.

"Kahit mga Olympic winners ang nandito, kapag nakakuha tayo ng magandang resulta sa draw, may pupuntahan tayo," said coach Nolito "Boy" Velasco.