RP pugs off to Thailand

A seven-man Team Caltex Philippines leaves for Bangkok, Thailand today to participate in the tough and prestigious 24th King’s Cup International Amateur Boxing Championships.

Competing in the July 1-7 event are SEA Games gold medalist Juanito Magliquian (lightflyweight), World Youth veteran Vincent Palicte (flyweight), Roel Laguna (featherweight), promising Esmael Bacongon (lightweight) and rookies Alex Pedroso (bantamweight), welterweight Marcial Chavez, and lightwelter Julito Paller to don the national colors.

"We are very serious to do good in the coming SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, that’s why we want to determine who’s the best in the various categories and only the best will represent our country in the SEA Games," said ABAP chief Manny Lopez.

Orlando Tacuyan is designated head coach of the nationals billed as Team Caltex Philippines to be assisted by Roberto Jalnaiz, lone gold medalist in the 1994 Beijing Asiad, with Max Acosta as one of the referees/judges in the King’s Cup.

The trip is made possible through the generosity of Caltex Phils. with support from the Philippine Sports Commission, Pacific Heights and Adidas.

"As in the past, the King’s Cup provides just the right training and exposure to our boxers. To the rookies of Team Caltex Philippines, this will serve as their baptism of fire," added Lopez.

The King’s Cup is not the end of the ABAP preparation for the SEA Games as Caltex Phils., along with other supporters from the private sector and the PSC, promised to help in sending Filipino boxers to other tournaments abroad.

"With that kind of support, I’m very hopeful that boxing will again deliver gold medals for the Philippines in the SEA Games," offered Lopez.