3 RP pugs reach Finland final

Genebert Basadre, Violito Payla and Joan Tipon dominated their respective rivals to barge into the finals of their respective divisions in the Tammer Cup International Boxing Championship in Tampere, Finland recently.

Basadre stopped Danish Nogaad Rugemalira via a Referee Stopped Contest-Outclassed in the second round to gain a crack at the gold medal in the lightweight division.

Payla also scored an RSC-O victory over Ryan Rannelli of Canada to advance to the championship round of the flyweight category, while Tipon put away the challenge of local bet Al Khaghani in the third round to earn a shot at the gold medal in the bantamweight class.

Those victories are expected to further boost the confidence of Basadre, Payla and Tipon, who are all seeing action for Team Philippines in the coming Asian Games in Doha, Qatar in December.

Payla will meet Hungarian Olympian Pal Bedak, while Basadre tests the mettle of Frenchman Jean Gomis. Tipon, who like Basadre is a Manila SEA Games gold medalist, tackles Canadian Isho Shiba.

But while the troika flourished, light-welterweight Delfin Boholst and welterweight Francis Joven faltered with stinging setbacks and settled for automatic bronze medals.

Boholst succumbed to Finnish Jussi Koivula, 30-15 ,while Joven sustained a cut on the left eye in the third round and bowed to his rival from Africa.

Still, Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines president Manny Lopez was satisfied with his wards’ performance.

"This is a good sign as we prepare to campaign in Doha," said Lopez, following an overseas call from head coach Pat Gaspi.

The trip is supported by the Olympic Solidarity Movement, Philippine Sports Commission and Pacific Heights.