TKOs mark early rounds of Tinga Cup

MANILA, Philippines - The first Dante O. Tinga Cup - National Invitational Amateur Boxing Team Championships got off to a very rousing start with 11 preliminary bouts not going the full, three-round distance at the classy Cantada Sports Center in Bagumbayan, Taguig.

Living up to its earlier announcement, a host of virtually unnamed but truly promising fighters emerged on the first day of this event held in honor of retired justice Dante O. Tinga and presented by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and supported by the City of Taguig and Lucio Tan Jr. in coordination with the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines-NCR.

Jan Kevin Edma of Misamis Oriental retired Benhur Matulac of Taguig after the second round of their pinweight (46kgs.) match followed by Bernardo Torres of Tagbilaran who cut the debut of Arvin Yordan of Mandaluyong in 2:42 minutes of the second round.

In the pinweight class, it was Rhoy Morillo of Payatas over Mark Anthony Cabungkal of Taguig (RSC 1:37 first round), Ruiz Lorenz Tesorio of Puerto Princesa City over Ronilo Cadenas of Tagbilaran City (RSC 2:23 in R1), Rerie de Munoz of Misamis Oriental over Jake Domerez of Mandaluyong (RSC 49 seconds, R1).

 Lorenz Michael Romarate of Mandaue City stopped Ruben Sibugan of Bacolod (RSC 1:10 in R3) in the light flyweight (48kgs.) category.

Flyweight (51kgs.) John Rey Melligen of Bacolod poleaxed Edwin Roquero of Payatas (RSC 45 sec, R2).