RP pugs to gun for four Athens berths

Battle-ready and enjoying hometown support, the Philippine boxing team is confident of putting an explosive show in the Asian Olympic Boxing qualifying tournament on Jan. 10-18 at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum in Palawan.

Head coach Gregorio Caliwan yesterday said the nationals, who are deep in training at the ABAP Gym at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex are looking at the prospects of winning at least four slots to the Athens Olympics.

"If we get four, I’ll be satisfied. If we get more than four, I’ll be very satisfied,’’ said the 54-year-old Caliwan, a retired Armyman.

The event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Accel, Revicon and Pacific Heights, will be televised on a slightly delayed basis over NBN 4.

Caliwan didn’t name names, but said the nine-man Philippine team isn’t in the mood to let their countrymen down.

"Boxing in front of your countrymen will give you an added motivation to win. The team has prepared rigidly and now it’s time to show our stuff,’’ said Caliwan.

Other members of the coaching staff are Boy Velasco, Pat Gaspi, Alex Arroyo and Olympians Ronald Chavez and Vic Arsena.

ABAP president Manny Lopez said Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn have done everything to assure the success of the qualifying which offers 24 slots to the Athens Olympics.

"In behalf of ABAP, I express my gratitude to both Gov. Reyes and Mayor Hagedorn for their solid cooperation in ensuring the success of this event,’’ Lopez said.

Both political hotshots are one in saying that the people of Palawan and Puerto Princesa City are looking forward to treating members of the 31 competing countries to their own kind of hospitality.

"We are honored to host the qualifying which kicks off the country’s determined bid to win its first Olympic gold,’’ said Gov. Reyes and Mayor Hagedorn.

"We will pray for a successful Philippine campaign.’’

Light-flyweight Harry Tañamor, lone gold medalist in the recent Vietnam SEA Games and Busan Asiad silver medalist, banners the RP campaign.

Others in the team are:flyweight Violito Payla, bantamweight Arlan Lerio, featherweight Junard Ladon, lightweight Florencio Ferrer, light welterweight Mark Jason Melligen, welterweight Francis Joven, middleweight Chris Camat and lightheavyweight Maraon Goles.

Of the 24 slots up for grabs, 12 slots will come from the lighter divisions; light flyweight (48 kgs), flyweight (48kgs-51 kgs); bantamweight (51 kgs-54 kgs) and featherweight (54 kgs-57 kgs). Gold, silver and bronze medalists in each of these divisions will go to Athens.

The lightweight (57 kgs-60 kgs); lightwelterweight (60 kgs-64 kgs); welterweight (64 kgs -69 kgs); middleweight (69 kgs to 75 kgs); and lightheavyweight (75 kgs to 81 kgs) offer two slots each (gold and silver medalists).

A slot each will go to winner of the heavyweight (81 kgs to 91 kgs) and superheavyweight (more than 91 kgs) categories.