Army fighters cop overall crown

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan — The Philippine Army racked up five golds in an awesome display of punching power as it humbled the vaunted Philippine Navy team to clinch the overall crown in the 2003 National Open Amateur Boxing Championships at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum here Saturday.

Godfrey Castro led the Army assault by overwhelming Navyman Franklin Albia, 92-63, and bagging the flyweight gold and the Best Male Boxer award at the close of this week-long event which served as a qualifer for the selection of RP team members.

Although Castro’s victory was the most convincing, it was, however, youthful Mark Jason Melligen who came through with an inspiring win as he beat Air Force’s Neil Postolero via an RSC-O verdict.

A southpaw from Bacolod City who learned the ropes from his father Gerardo as early as six years old, Melligen, now 17, bucked Postolero’s power punching with fine footwork and lightning-quick right-left combinations to post the win in the light-welterweight division.

"Sinisipagan ko talagang mag-training kasi gusto ko talagang umasenso talagang makasama sa RP team A," said Melligen, a member of the national squad’s developmental pool.

Pinweight Bill Vicera, welterweight Francis Joven and middleweight Maraon Golez delivered the Army’s three other gold medals to crown themselves champion over the Navy, winner in last year’s edition in Iriga City.

Vicera jumpstarted the Army romp as he disposed of Navy’s Albert Abila, 98-81, while Joven needed just a minute and 16 seconds to beat Puerto Princesa bet David Dalope.

Golez capped Army’s domination by overwhelming teammate and fellow internationalist Maximo Tabangcora, 70-53.

Cotabato’s Glenn Gonzales also smashed Navy’s Arestio Gorra, 108-84, in the flyweight finals.

"We came here to fulfill a mission and we’re happy to accomplish it"said Army coach and 1992 Barcelona Olympics quarterfinalist Roberto Jalnaiz.

The Navy consoled itself with a haul of three gold, four silver and two bronze medals with lightweight Roel Laguna, a veteran internationalist, leading the way.

Laguna proved too classy for Cebu City’s Caesar Amonsot as he ran away with a 101-55 triumph.

Despite the loss, Amonsot settled for the silver medal and a chance to make it to the national roster after he was selected as one of the 14 candidates for RP team slots after the conclusion of the event attended by Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes, Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn and Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president Manny Lopez.

The other Navy wins came from Joegen Ladon (feather) and Joan Tipon (bantam).

Palawan’s Josie Gabuco, winner of the women’s pinweight gold, was named best female boxer.

Baguio City won three golds in the women’s division courtesy of featherweight Jouvillet Chillem, lightflyweight Ronijin Sufla and flyweight Alice Aparri.