Three more Pinoy pugs gain semis

USTI NAB LABEM, Czech Republic - Team Caltex Philippines got off to a decent start in the 31st Czech Grand Prix international boxing tournament Friday, winning three of its first five bouts to assure itself of five bronze medals in the tough slugfest at the Sportnovi Haly here.

Bantamweight Roel Laguna of Cagayan de Oro City, lightweight Larry Semillano of Bago City and lightwelterweight Anthony Igusquiza of Aklan fashioned out contrasting triumphs to advance to the semifinals, joining brothers Arlan and Danilo Lerio who drew opening-round byes.

Laguna bobbed and wove his way to a 5-4 decision over Kazakhstan's Mazimbajev Marat, Igusquiza threw punches in bunches to rout hometown bet Hruby Otto while Semillano needed only one crashing left hook to stop another local entry Fecko Ladislav a few seconds into the bout.

The Adidas-outfitted Filipino fighters, whose participation here is sponsored by Caltex Philippines, Pacific Heights and the Philippine Sports Commission, saw their hot streak end when featherweight Ramil Zambales left the ring a first-round knockout loser to World Cup silver medalist Huste Fack of Germany.

The rangy German caught Zambales with one solid right straight to the kisser, sending the Palawan native to the canvas for the very first time in his fighting career.

"Hindi ko talaga nakita. Hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang tumama sa akin, dahil nag-blacked out ako. Sayang tingin ko pa naman kundisyon ako at kaya ko siyang laruin," said Zambales, disappointed with his KO loss that automatically disqualified him from the final Asian Olympic qualifier in Bangkok next month.

Welterweight Reynaldo Galido joined Zambales in the sideline as he couldn't sustain a good start versus Atlanta Olympics gold medalist Saitov Oleg of Russia, suffering a 1-7 defeat.

"Tres of singko and Galido fighting good kontra Oleg is good. Good sign, good preparation of the Philippines for Bangkok," said RP Cuban head coach Raul Liranza.

"So far so good talaga. Laguna's improving, Semillano and Igusquiza both in good shape at si Aldok (Galido) ang ganda ng ipinakita kahit natalo. Ang performance niya against Oleg ay sobra-sobra na para mag-qualify (in the Olympics) sa Bangkok," said coach Nolito "Boy" Velasco.

The RP coaching staff that includes Pat Gaspi is hopeful the RP pugs will sustain their good start in the semifinals Saturday.

Danilo Lerio starts the day for the Filipinos when he goes up against Czech Faber Frantisek in their light-flyweight bout before older brother Arlan takes on Thai Wijan Ponlid in a flyweight match.

Laguna takes a shot at the finals versus Thai Chotipat Wongprates, Semillano against Romanian Iungu George and Igusquiza versus Poland's Bojanowski Artur.