Gamo joins two RP pugs in finals

ATHENS, Greece — Team Caltex Philippines split its two remaining semifinals assignments Saturday to settle for three finals berths in the 22nd International Cup Acropolis amateur boxing championships here.

Bantamweight Ferdie Gamo dominated his bout against Mark Moran of England to breeze through to the finals with a 9-6 victory but fellow rookie internationalist David Gopong succumbed to "first day" jitters in his fight against Australian Daniel Geale to bow out, 0-15, and settle for the bronze medal.

Gamo, a 25-year-old discovery from Bago City in Bacolod, thus joined light flyweight Lhyven Salazar and flyweight Rene Villaluz in the championship round. Salazar had earlier hacked out a 65-54 countback win over Roudik Kasanjian of Cyprus while Villaluz made the gold medal bout by the luck of the draw.

The three championship appearances on Sunday also put the Philippines in the running for top team honors in this world-ranking event.