Young Lerio, Payla move to semifinals

LA LISA, Cuba — Lightfly Danilo Lerio and Flyweight Violito Payla, two small men armed with big hearts, crushed their respective opponents Saturday and joined two other members of Team Caltex Philippines in the semifinal round of the seventh Roberto Balado Cup Boxing Tournament here.

Lerio pounded Cuban Yampiel Hernandez into submission, the fight being stopped with a minute left in the second round and the 20-year-old Filipino being declared the winner via retirement at the cramped, oven-hot Roberto Balado gymnasium.

After Lerio’s outstanding performance, featherweight Ramil Zambales and lightmiddle Junie Tizon failed to follow suit, losing their mid-afternoon fights to Cubans Barbaro Fidalgo, 2-3, and Carlos Janes, 1-4, respectively.

In the evening bouts held at the open-air La Vereda Plaza, Payla, at 22 the latest addition to Team Caltex, made short work of Modesto Ramirez of Equador, 5-0. Payla was all over his opponent, taking his time in the first two rounds before pouring on the heat in the last two.

Due to the breakdown of the computer system before the day’s opening bout featuring Lerio, the 20-point scoring system was applied by each of the five judges, leading to a 5-0 victory for a boxer who completely dominates his opponent with no stoppages.

Lerio and Payla are now assured of bronze medals like the older Lerio — bantam Arlan and lightwelter Romeo Brin who drew a first-round bye and will not see action until Monday. Brin and the Lerios represented the Philippines in last year’s Sydney Olympics along with Larry Semillano. The Team Caltex Philippines’ trip is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Pacific Heights.

The Lerios, who hail from Antipas, North Cotabato, shoot for the finals berth Sunday evening with Danilo, a Navyman, and Arlan, an Armyman, taking on Cuban opponents. Brin and Payla, also from the Army, climb back into the ring Monday.

"Keep it up and go for the gold," said Manny Lopez, who took over the leadership of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines from his father, former Manila Mayor Gemiliano Lopez in the late 90’s, in a short overseas message to the Filipino boxers.

Gregorio Caliwan, the head coach, urged his wards to give it their best in the semifinal round as the team aims to surpass its four bronze-medal finish in the tough Cordova Cardin Boxing Championships in Havana last week. Assistant coaches Nolito Velasco and Alex Arroyo, along with referee/judge Darcito Teodoro, also urged the boxers to do the same.