YOLANDA VICTIM WINS IN PSC-PACQUIAO AMATEUR BOXING CUP VISAYAS SEMIFINALS

TEXT & PHOTOS BY LITO DELOS REYES

Supervising technical director Rogelio Fortaleza (extreme left) awarded the bronze medal to Cebu’s Tricia Marie Llamas (2nd from left), who bowed to Jilyn dela Cruz of Leyte Sports Academy by a unanimous decision in the Jr. Girls pinweight (44-46 kg.) division.

CALBAYOG City, Samar – A 15-year old victim of the typhoon Yolanda emerged as the first winner in the on-going PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup Visayas Semifinals at the Calbayog bus terminal in Barangay Bagacay here.

Jilyn dela Cruz, one of the only three entries of the Leyte Sports Academy scored a convincing unanimous decision, 5-0 against Cebu’s Tricia Marie Llamas in Junior Girls Pinweight (44-45 kg.) division.

It is the third gold medal for Dela Cruz, who also won the gold medal in the 2016 Batang Pinoy in Tagum and 2017 Batang Pinoy in Dumaguete.

Her two teammates in the Youth Girls division Judy Ann Orbeta (50 kg.) and Myra Nacario (48 kg.) are already qualified in the National Finals and Visayas Finals respectively

Orbeta, 18, is the lone entry in the Visayas while Nacario, also 18 earned a bye to the Visayas Finals slated on May 5 in Maasin City.

Their coaches are Romnick Villegas and Guilberto Malibag.

Meanwhile, five boxers from Bago City also scored contrasting wins today (March 17) in the grassroots development program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission in coordination with the office of Sen. Manny Pacauiao.

Joshua Belicena stopped Sipalay’s Nixon Anito by a referee-stopped-contest due tto nose injury in Round 1 of the Junior Boys flyweight (50 kg.) division.

Rodel Gamo won by a 4-0 victory over Murca’s Armand Jake Aragon in the Jr. Boys Pinweight while Samuel Manale beat Mandaue-Omega’s Jim Paul Dignos, 4-1 in the Jr. Boys light flyweight (48 kg.).

Nel Tambanillo and Jasper John Anida both won for Bago by walkover wins after the now show of their respective opponents from Victorias.

Tambanillo won against Geniel Alit in the Youth Boys flyweight (52 kg) while Anida over Herlan Gomez in the Youth Boys bantamweight (56 kg.).

“Victorias failed to come here due to lack of funds already from their local government,” said Supervising Technical Direcor Rogelio Fortaleza.

Bronze medals were awarded to the losers by PSC coordinator Noli Lopez, Supervising Technical Director Rogelio Fortaleza and Calbayog boxing event coordinator Alvin Fiel.