3 Pinoy pugs make finals in Lion’s Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Ian Clark Bautista, Mario Fernandez and Nesthy Petecio disposed of their respective semifinal rivals to gain cracks at gold medals in the Lion’s Cup international boxing tournament at the Sugathadasa Indoor Arena in Colombo, Sri Lanka Wednesday.

Bautista whipped local bet PD Suresh in their flyweight clash to set up a gold medal clash with Anuruda Rathnayake, also of Sri Lanka, while Fernandez used his guile and speed to beat Manju Wannjarchchi, also of Sri Lanka, in their bantamweight duel.

He will take on Yu Che-Li of Chinese Taipei for the gold.

Petecio, on the other hand, decisioned Chia Ling Chen of Taiwan to advance to the gold medal round of women’s lightweight clash.

Fancied Eumir Felix Marcial, however, bowed to Kenyan Okwin Raytow Nduku via unanimous decision in a loss rued by team manager and head coach Pat Gaspi.

“Eumir definitely won the first two rounds and despite Marcial’s injury (he had a swollen face after accidentally bumping into his opponent the day before), we think he still deserved the decision,” said Gaspi. 

With Gaspi in the coaching staff are Joegin Ladon and Violito Payla Jr. AIBA international technical official Ma. Karina Picson and 3-star international referee-judge Roger Fortaleza are officiating in the tournament.

Over 60 boxers from 11 countries answered the roll when the tournament started Monday.