2 lady pugs bag golds in Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam — Two-time Asian boxing champion Mitchel Martinez and talented Annie Albania bannered the Philippines bid as they won the gold medals in the third Hanoi International Boxing Championships here recently.

Martinez, a member of the Philippine National Police, scored a RSC (Referee-Stopped Contest, outscored) victory over hapless Taiwanese Chien Hsin-Tzu in the lightweight class.

Albania added to the country’s gold-medal tally as she beat India’s R. Devi, 19-12 in a one-sided final in the featherweight class.

The Philippines, however, failed to make it three in row in the ladies class as Alice Kate Aparri lost to world champion MC Marycom of India, 21-15 in the light-flyweight finals.

With the 2-golds 1 silver tally, the Filipinas salvaged second place in the 15-nation tournament sanctioned by the International Amateur Boxing Association.

The trip was sponsored by Pacific Heights and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

ABAP President and FAAB Secretary General Manny Lopez expressed elation on the performances of the lady pugs as the received the team’s trophy. "

‘‘Our bets sacrificed a lot before achieving their gold medals. I am delighted with the results which came through hard work and determination,’’ said Lopez.

Earlier, the 4-man Philippine junior boxing team also shone as it won two golds courtest of lightflyweight Michael Paragoso and featherweight Orlando Tacuyan.