Suarez graces Tony Boy Cup, vies in W Series

PANABO CITY, Philippines – Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Charly Suarez has returned to Manila from this city Wednesday to await his documents from India’s boxing federation in preparation for his inclusion in the Mumbai Fighters in the AIBA-sanctioned World Series of Boxing.

Suarez, a 60 kg sensation (lightweight), was here with 2012 London Olympic Games qualifier and fellow Davao native Mark Anthony Barriga for the holidays to watch the opening of the PLDT-ABAP Mindanao tournament in conjunction with the Tony Boy Floirendo Cup.

“Charly is supposed to leave for India on Dec. 26,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson. “Barriga, however, will be staying for Christmas but returning to camp by Jan. 3 along with the other national boxers.”

The yearly Tony Boy Cup is on its 11th year and is part of the yearly birthday celebration of former Davao del Norte congressman and prominent Mindanao businessman Antonio Floirendo. His successor and nephew, current Rep. Antonio Lagdameo, has continued the grassroots development program in amateur boxing.

The program has produced amateur standouts like Barriga, 2012 World Junior Champion Eumir Marcial of Zamboanga, Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar, and Suarez, a two-time SEA Games gold medalist.

Action has been furious in the quarterfinal round in the Mindanao tournament, an ABAP program which targets young and upcoming talents for possible inclusion in the national training pool.

In the youth boys division (49 kgs), it was James Tormis of Maasim over Wilbert Quimpo of Butuan, 16-13; Reinbrand Jaingga of Manolo Fortich over Asher Bada of Zamboanga, 14-13; Ronnie Tanallen of Gen. Santos over Jenny Boy Boca of Camiguin, 14-8; and Reymme Casas of Misamis Oriental over Abel Gayhon of Aglayan, 11-8, to lead passage to the semifinal round.

In the bantamweight class (56 kgs), the winners were  Radje Tabanao of Davao del Norte-Red over Jommar Canete of Manolo Fortich, 13-6; Jeson Umbal of Camiguin over Salvador Alimayo of GenSan, 11-0; Ponciano Golez of Compostela Valley over Jonaco Abao of Gingoog City, 8-4; and Rimar Alitoda of MisOr over Joseph Castro of Aglayan, 11-2.

Other quarterfinal winners were (46 kgs) Jilnar Librnaza of Cabadbaran, Rodel Velez of Sursocot, Isaganin Llaban Jr., of MisOr, and Rabicle Gariel of DDN-Red.

Meanwhile, Ricky Vargas of Maynilad Water, president of ABAP, and secretary-general Pato Gregorio will be on hand today for the semifinal matches.

The Visayas leg of the ABAP series will be next month in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, while the National Championship is set in February in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.