RP pugs gain three bronzes

MANILA, Philippines - The PLDT-RP boxing team settled for three bronze medals in finishing their campaign in the tough China Open in Guiyang, China.

Lightflyweight Gerson Nietes, bantamweight Francis Aston Palicte and welterweight Wilfredo Lopez were all a win away from reaching the finals until they were waylaid in their respective semifinal assignments last Friday.

Nietes dropped a 6-1 score to Idyaz Sulay-Minov of Kazakhstan, Palicte got clobbered by another Kazakh Mirzhan Rakhimzhanov, 14-2, while Lopez bowed to Arisnoidys Despaigne of Cuba, 9-1.

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) sent seven boxers to the AIBA-ranking event.

 “I feel we could have done better but we’re in the initial stage of our 2010 program and it’s good that we saw what adjustments need to be done this early. Three bronzes in this tournament level is nothing to sneeze at,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson.

Picson will supervise members of national training pool in both men and women as well as the coaching staff as they undergo rigorous training next week in Beijing, China.

The Filipino boxers’ stint was supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission in their latest China campaign.