Pacman-backed pugs reign in PNG Mindanao elims

MANILA, Philippines - Boxers backed by ring icon Manny Pacquiao captured most of the golds up disputed at the close of the POC-PSC Philippine National Games Mindanao eliminations at the Combat Sports Arena inside the Provincial Government Center in Pagadian City Monday.

The General Santos pugs came away with four golds with Jhon Peter Patrick Cagumay leading the charge via an impressive fourth-round technical knockout over Bayog’s Roque Tapayan in the junior boys bantamweight division.

RV Denega topped team PacMan’s Richard Bulacan, 2-1, in the boys flyweight division, Jayson Mama scored a unanimous decision win over Sarangani province’s Rodrigo Belinggan in the boys flyweight class, while Regel Lou Alde beat Digos City’s Jerson Bancil by a 2-1 decision in the men’s elite flyweight category for GenSan’s other victories.

Team Pacman also took two golds as Jean Minguillian beat Zamboanga City Rosmil Samson, 3-0, and Rey Tagulaylay proved too much for Digos City’s Jeremy Puno, 3-0, in the men’s elite light flyweight championship in the meet organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Zamboanga City and the town of Guipos, Zambonga del Sur won two golds each in the sportfest supported by the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government led by Gov. Antonio Cerilles, who hosted the PNG as part of the highlights of the province’s 63rd founding anniversary.

Rennie Boy Ferraren beat Team Pacman’s Jestine Tesoro, 2-1, in the boys light bantamweight class while Romer Dagoy whipped Manti’s Aljum Pelesio, 3-0, in the boys bantamweight category for Zamboanga City’ victories.

Guipos boxer Sherwin Anthony Marcial overwhelmed Cagayan de Oro’s Renato Victolero, 3-0, and teammate Dennis Gaan outslugged CDO’s Roel Otaza, 3-0, in ruling the boys lightweight and men’s elite light welterweight championship matches, respectively.

Sarangani’s Dave Apolinario defeated Zamboanga City’s Archie Galvez, 3-0, in securing the boys light flyweight crown while Cabadbaran’s Felmar Antiga vanquished GenSan’s Jan Ramil Boloy, 3-0, in bagging the boys featherweight title.

Lutay’s  Carolyn Calungsod  clobbered GenSan’s Roxan Capawan, 3-0, in annexing the girls bantamweight championship while Pagadian Mohammad Khader Banua subdued Cagayan de Oro’s Denmark Quibido, 2-1, in the men’s bantamweight finals for the other victories.

Cabadbaran’s Earl John Zamora, a former member of the NU varsity squad, topped the men’s standard competition in chess while Davao City’s Mary Jonah Lequin took top honors in the women’s standard division.

The gold, silver and bronze medalists in the Mindanao eliminations qualify for the PNG national finals next year in April.