Aparri makes it two-to-nil for Pinay boxers

MANILA, Philippines - Flyweight Alice Kate Aparri put on a scorching show in cool Mongolia Tuesday as she thrashed Meng-Chieh Pin of Chinese-Taipei, 15-5, to make it two in a row for the PLDT-ABAP national boxing team in the sixth Asian Women’s Boxing Championships here in Ulan Bator.

The 27-year-old Aparri from Baguio, imposed her will early with powerful combinations then sustained her charge throughout the bout to fashion out the one-sided victory, duplicating teammate Nesthy Petecio’s impressive 12-3 rout of another Taiwanese Yuan Hu in their 54kg clash Monday.

Meanwhile, Josie Gabuco, a gold medalist in the last two SEA Games and a bronze medalist in the 2008 World Championships, faces the team’s first acid test in her light-flyweight (48 Kg) match against tough Yukie Luo of the People’s Republic of China Wednesday. Both fighters drew a bye in the first round.

Late in the afternoon, Petecio goes for a berth in the medal round as she slugs it out with fancied Un Jong Choe of North Korea.

“The field here is highly competitive. Even the legendary Mery Kom of India got a scare yesterday (she barely won over Peamwilai Laopeam of Thailand). We’ve had relatively light assignments the first two days but now we face more serious opposition,” said ABAP executive director and delegation head Ed Picson.

“Both Josie and Nesthy are anxious to get to the next level however, and I like their positive attitude,” he added.

The Philippine boxers came here direct from training camp in Muaklek, Thailand (the Thai National Training Center). Before that, they also had training sessions and a dual meet with Sri Lankan counterparts in Manila and Tagbilaran City.

The tournament, which drew 82 participants from 17 Asian nations, serves as preparation for the Women’s Olympic Qualifying event in Qinhuangdao, China in May.