PALARO STANDOUT TAKES LIMELIGHT

JOLAN Bughanoy of Davao del Norte (red) and Raymund John Tabugon of Misamis Oriental (black) trade blows in the youth boys’ quarterfinals of the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship Wednesday at the Puerto Princesa coliseum. Bughanoy won via a referee-stopped-contest with 2:41 left in the second round

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY-- JOLAN Bughanoy and Mark Anthony Barr posted emphatic victories to lead Davao del Norte’s surge to the semifinals of the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship late Wednesday at the Puerto Princesa coliseum here.

Bughanoy, the 18-year old reigning Palarong Pambansa champion, blasted bitter rival Raymund Jhon Tabugon of Misamis Oriental via a referee-stopped-contest in the quarterfinals of their youth boys’ flyweight match.

Barr, meanwhile, pulled an impressive 21-8 win over Espiridion Pubadora in the junior boys’ pinweight division to help Davao del Norte in its drive for the overall title since skipping last year’s edition in Bacolod City.

Davao del Norte remains the tournament topnotcher after sending 11 of its 16 entries to the semifinals while Misamis Oriental has six of its seven entries in the medal round. Also coming up with gallant effort in this five-day tourney were Bago City, Puerto Princesa A and Palawan which will be represented by five boxers each in the semis.

Semifinal action started late Thursday to coincide with the opening hostilities in the girls’ division.

“Isa siya sa pinakamahusay (na boxer) dito kaya pinaghandaan namin siya talaga,” said Bughanoy referring to his victim, who was the only Misamis Oriental bet that failed to reach the next round.

Another promising pug who stole the show was Nico Magliquian, a Talisay City native who is now campaigning for Tayabas, Quezon.

The nephew of two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Juanito Magliquian impressed the crowd with his combination of speed and craftsmanship to escape an 11-9 victory over Raymund Lerio, the nephew of former 1996 Atlanta Olympian Arlan Lerio, in the quarterfinals of the junior boys’ flyweight division.

“He is our adopted son, the most hardworking boy in our stable,” Tayabas City vice-mayor Venerando Rea, who also acts as team manager of the tiny Tayabas contingent.

Other winners in the boys’ flyweight class were Jason Conception of Northern Samar, who won via the disqualification of Romel Cahilig of Boracay and Rey Milligin of Bacolod City, who stopped James Dela Cerna with only a second left in the three-round bout.

In the featherweight division, Ian Abaniel of Puerto Princesa C and Aljohn Tubieron of Caloocan City sealed their finals showdown after stopping their respective rivals while Antonio Lagsit of Sorsogon and Jheritz Chavez of Mandaluyong City won over their respective foes to square-off in the finals of the lightweight match.

Championship bouts start on Friday.

In the kids’ kiddie weight division, Ian Fabal of Puerto Princesa C won over EJ Nares of Tayabas City, 20-6; Richard Rama of Mandaue City overpowered Radili Abbas of Puerto Princesa C, 15-12; Dilmar Pillo of Boracay clobbered Jimmy Oberos of Mandaluyong City, 16-9; and Billy Ray Naelgas of Palawan frustrated Rolly Sepe of Davao del Norte, 38-19.

In the kids’ cotton weight class, Rodel Dona of Puerto Princesa B stopped Ivan Madanay of Davao del Norte; Jude Lescano of Bago City trampled Ejay Lopeto of Puerto Princesa A, 22-9; Romel Tunacao of Mandaue City smothered Denz Orcapa of Bacolod City, 13-4; and Ven Guardia of Valencia beat Andrie Monton of Tagbilaran City, 15-4.

Also winning in the kids’ powder weight class were Jude Merced of Puerto Princesa C, who won over Emjay Natan of Nueva Viscaya, 16-5; and Reagan Rosales of Iligan City, who humbled Jason Hina of Bicol Selection, 46-31.

In the school boys’ mosquito weight division, Jilnar Libranza of Cabadbaran City won over Regie Rapis of Boracay, 8-7; Elmer Marcial of Zamboanga stopped Robert Ellinas of Northern Samar in the first round; Mark Medel posted a 102-89 victory over Jeff Cabanas of Tayabas in the boxed-off; and Rence Magarce of Davao del Norte defeated Fernando Rodriguez of Valencia, 31-28. -Philippine Boxing News.