RP pugs compete in AIBA China tilt

MANILA, Philippines - A seven-man Philippine boxing team departs for Guiyang, China on Saturday to compete in the first AIBA China Open International Boxing Championship on April 3-12.

Backed by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. under Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines chairman Manny Pangilinan and ABAP president Ricky Vargas, the RP contingent joins fighters from more than 30 countries around the world, including Russia and Cuba, in one of the tournaments leading up to the Guangzhou Asian Games in November.

Accompanied by ABAP executive director Ed Picson and coaches Nolito Velasco and Ronald Chavez, the RP team is composed of Gerson Nietes (48 kg. light flyweight), Rey Saludar (51 kg. flyweight), Aston Francis Palicte (54 kg. bantamweight), Charly Suarez (57 kg. featherweight), Jameboy Vicera (60 kg. lightweight), Mark John Rey Melligen (64 kg. light welterweight), and Wilfredo Lopez (69 kg. welterweight).

“We’re very hopeful that with this young team, we can gauge our strength for the coming Asian Games,” said Picson. “We also have a string of other tournaments and training camps planned for the year to ensure that our boxers are prepared for Guangzhou.”

Picson bared that from Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, the national boxers will meet their 19 other teammates, including six female boxers, in Beijing to attend a 14-day training camp at the Shichahai Sports School.

“The camp is made possible with the help of the Beijing Boxing Federation,” Picson said.