Postolero guns down rival

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan–An Airman from Iloilo and a homegrown lady pug pulled off contrasting victories amidst the Philippine Navy juggernaut in the penultimate day of the 2003 National Open Men and Women Amateur Boxing Championships at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum here.

Light welterweight Neil Postolero, a native of Maigo, Iloilo, knocked down fancied Rey Naquila of the dreaded Navy armada a minute and 28 seconds past the first round to barge into the finals of this event used as one of the bases for the selection of RP team members.

All it took was a vicious right straight to the face of Naquila as Postolero, 22, threw his fist into the air in celebration that made up for his teammates disappointing losses in Day 6.

Naquila, an apprentice seaman, tried to get back on his feet but Postolero’s punch was too overpowering that he could not stand up straight, forcing the referee to stop the bout.

"Sabi ng coach namin pag dinaan ko sa puntosan siguradong talo ako dahil magagaling talaga sila," said Postolero. "Kaya bawat suntok na pinapakawalan ko malalakas para kung tumama tapos agad."

But it was Palawan’s Josie Gabuco who stole the thunder from the men’s side as she bucked two standing eight counts in the opening round to stun Baguio City’s Neomi Pe-keng in clinching the pinweight gold medal.

The win thus sent some 3,000 of Gabuco’s supporters including Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn in wild cheers while Pe-Keng’s small but loud fans could not believe what they saw.

Pe-Keng, a national team mainstay, hushed the partisan crowd with her rock-solid resolve and lightning quick left-right combo that dizzied Gabuco twice, forcing referee Nelson Factoranan to stop the match.