Anton clinches Hill climb title anew

CARLOS Anton clocked an impressive 1:28.15 for the best time in the fourth leg of the Philippine Hill Climb series in the uphill roads of Pias in San Fernando City, La Union.

The multi titled Castrol–Yokohama-backed driver led the field in the mountain race to virtually wrap up the 2011 season with a bang driving his 222 horsepower CRX fitted with Yokohama A050 rubber.

Does Gloria Arroyo deserve to be placed under house arrest? Cast your vote.

“They tightened the course with pylons for safety today so it was a bit tricky but the team is very happy to win the title for 2011,” Anton said after his run.

Anton’s Castrol-Hornitex team mate Alfie Concepcion got his revenge and finally clinched the group 4 (185-220 horsepower division) crown for 2011.

Concepcion missed the title last year after blowing a healthy lead during the final leg due to a timing belt failure but still managed to clock 1:32.10 up the hill with his Special Stage prepared Civic to take the title and win in group 4 for the day.

Yokohama-Hornitex drivers Dennis Aoyong and Frankie Domingo finished 2nd overall in Group 5 and Group 2, respectively.

Aoyong played his role perfectly in providing a points buffer for Anton in the highest division, while Domingo, last year’s Group 2 champion, was happy to still finish 2nd after his zero points finish during round two of the championship.

Jimson Balmeo won the group three championship after dominating every race while Edmund Dupo got his first national group 2 title in spite of a minor accident in heat 1.

Pancake Pimentel, BJ Frondoso, and Ecko Adan won the championships in Group 1, Group S and Historic Class, respectively.

The 2012 HillClimb Championship will be held in the mountains of Rizal, Samat and La Union starting March.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on November 25, 2011.

Veterans dominate grappling tilt

A BUNCH of veterans continue to dominate as the 8th Grapplers Cup lured some 80 fighters from all over northern Luzon held recently at the People’s Park and organized by Team Lakay.

Gina Iniong led the awardees after winning the gold medal in the female seniors 51-57 weight class by edging upcoming Jane Christine Padul who settled for silver, while Tecthie Assudo salvaged bronze in the event supported by the City Government of Baguio.

In the male side, Jeffrey Doligas bagged the gold medal in the 50 kilograms (kgs) and below as Paul John Edralaga settled for silver, while Crispin Logawe defeated Biondi Dayangadang for the gold medal in the 51-57 kgs event with Doman Saguipil and Clifford Panas taking home the bronze medal.

Harold Banario won the gold in the 58-64 kgs event as Leonard Yap settled for silver with Tristan Rebucayo and Jervees Herrera went home with the bronze in the event also backed by FRB Foundation and the University of the Cordilleras.

Troy Bantiag took home the gold in the 64–71 kgs division with James Maquiwe settling for silver as Noel Sumingwa and Oathmar Guillan salvaging the bronze.

In the juniors division, Taro Barrientos won the gold over John Noel Astudillo as Jon Olivar settled for the bronze in the 50 kgs and below.

Mark Stephen Loman was the gold medalist in the 51-57 kgs as Joshua Pacio and Jhaymie Gayman in the 51-57 kgs, while Jean Claude Saclag took the gold in the 58-64 kgs as Giovhann Bautista bagged silver.

Jan Jan Servo won the gold in the kids division while John Ira Barrientos settled for silver.

The tournament is also Team Lakay's way of discovering talents who could possibly fit in mix martial arts where the team is currently the number one in the local Universal Reality Combat Championship where they hold at least four weight division belts.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on November 26, 2011.

Kalinga prepares for Caraa 2012 hosting

TABUK CITY, Kalinga - The province is ready to host the 2012 Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (Caraa) sports fest sometime in February next year.

This early, committees were organized to prepare for the regional event, which was bided by the province of Abra but later rejected it.

Governor Jocel Baac during the regular Kapehan held at the Kalinga-Apayao Electric Cooperative accepted hosting the Caraa since he said this will redound to the benefit of Kalinga.

He said sending a delegation to other provinces is expensive. “Delegates will not also be traveling from their quarters going to the sports venue if held in other provinces,” Baac said, adding the greater advantage of hosting it is that our facilities are centralized and proximity of quarters for delegates to sports venues are also for their convenience.

During the meeting, the Provincial Engineering Office was directed to start preparing the sports ground. Other agencies and offices were organized into committees to help during the preparation.

It was agreed that the Caraa will be simultaneously held during the celebration of Kalinga day and Ullalim festival to draw more visitors.

“What we spend will yield high return of investment since tourism will be promoted and money inflow is guaranteed because visitors will spend here,” Baac said of the economic advantage of hosting the Caraa.

More than a thousand delegates from Baguio City and the provinces of Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province are expected to join in the annual regional athletic meet. (Peter A. Balocnit)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on November 24, 2011.

Aparri claims gold in SEAG boxing

BAGUIO and the rest of the Cordilleras beamed with pride anew after a lady boxer snatched a gold medal, while the wushu contingent added several medals to add up in the Philippines campaign in the ongoing Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Lady boxer Alice Kate Aparri capped her campaign in women’s boxing after claiming the gold against Myanmar’s Thet Htar San after stopping Selly Wanimbio of Indonesia in the semis and Mieovady Hangfa of Laos in the prelims.

Aparri, one of the Baguio-based fighters who are seeing action in the 26th edition of the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia won it in the light flyweight division.

Meanwhile, Baguio wushu players snatched a silver medal in the taulo event during Sunday’s finals.

Daniel Parantac, who topped the first day of competition in the Taijiquan + Taijijian with a 9.71 points falter in the second day with a 9.51 to score a silver in the biennial meet.

Also, scoring silver in the Duilian event is the trio of World gold medalist John Keithley Chan, Engelbert Addon and Eleazar Jacob with a 9.72 to settle for the silver.

The female trio of Natasha Enriquez, Kathy Lynne, and Kariza Chan was good for a bronze medal after scoring 9.68 in the female side of duilian event.

Sanshou fighter Mariane Mariano, together with Benjie Rivera, Mark Eddiva and Eduard Folayang, will be eyeing a gold medal in their respective weight classes after disposing of separate rivals.

Mariano edged Kesinee Tabtrai (Thailand) then Su Hlaing Oo of Mynamar to arrange a gold match against Tan Thi Ly of Vietnam in the 56 kilogram (kg) weight class.

The lone fatality for the Baguio based sanshou squad is Rhea May Rifani who fell out of contention in the 48 kgs event after bowing to Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Bich.

Benjie Rivera, meanwhile, will seek the gold in the 56 kgs division after disposing Boupha Valasith of Laos and Yusar Kristiawan of Indonesia as he goes up against Pan Van Hau of Vietnam.

Asian games silver medalist Mark Eddiva guns for another gold medal performance in the 65 kgs division when he battles Youne Victorio Sen of Indonesia after defeating Choy Thla of Cambodia and Tin Lin Aung of Myanmar in the preliminaries.

Eduard Folayang, one of the country’s be-medaled sanshou campaigners, seeks another stellar performance as he battle Udon Khanxay of Laos after beating Agus Suprayitno of Indonesia in the 70 kgs weight class.

Street kids test veterans in football

STREET kids being taught how to play football will test their mettle against a tough Baguio Stallions squad in an exhibition game that will kick off the first Vergara-Domogan Street Kids Football Cup on November 27.

With 17 street kids currently enrolled in the program, the tournament aims to gather more street kids in taking up football and at the same time provide them a permanent shelter and a sustainable livelihood program supported by Goshen Land.

And after almost two months of basic football, the street kids’ squad, under coach Aries Bocalan of the Baguio United Football Club, will finally put their skills to test against a seasoned Stallions which recently won the gold medal in the Asian Special Olympic Qualifier.

“These kids have potential kasi during our first week. Makikita mo yung kanilang enthusiasm at the same yung iba sa kanila, eh, may basic knowledge tapos yung iba mabibilis din kaya magandang sign ito para sa team,” said Bocalan during a media briefing.

Although the Stallions are favored to win against their counterpart in the friendly game, members of the street kids football squad are also bent on showing their potential as upcoming football players.

“Mahirap din po yung aming training at kahit siguro baguhan kami eh susubukan din naming manalo,” said 13-year-old Daryl.

“Kung sa talent po siguro kaya naming sumabay pero di rin po kami magpapatalo,” added 16-year-old Edmund.

Seven divisions are set to compete for top honors with trophies for champion, first runner-up, second runner-up and third runner-up will be up for grabs.

Playing dates for the age group competition will be on December 3 for the 8, 10, and 12 under at the Teachers Camp, while the 14 under and the ladies open will be on December 10 at the Baguio Athletic Bowl.

The 16 under boys and girls division will also be played at the Athletic Bowl on December 17, while the men’s open will be played at the Melvin Jones on December 18.

Individual awards (Best Goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker, fair play and MVP) will also be given out in the tournament.

Registration for the men’s open will be at P500, while the ladies open will have it at P300, while the different age group competitions starting from the 8 under up to 16 under for boys and girls will be at P200.

Interested teams and sponsorship inquiries may send e-mail request to baguiounited @gmail.com and nestor_udan @yahoo.com. (Roderick Osis)

SLU draws first blood in Miners Cup 3 opening

SAINT Louis University (SLU) used a solid second quarter to draw first blood in the girls division by edging Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Montessori for the Miners Cup 3 at the BCNHS auditorium, 54-30.

Drawing big numbers from Anne Co who fired a game high of 16 points, 10 in the opening canto, the SLU- Center pounded the Carmelians with their inside plays and nifty transition defense to open their campaign in the five team division.

Scoring at will, Co and playmaker Cristy Ramilo adding 10 points for their cause, took advantage of Mt. Carmel’s deficient ball handling skills to take a precarious four point lead at the close of the opening canto 15-9.

With Co sitting almost in the entirety of the second quarter, SLU continued the onslaught with Ramilo leading the charge, which saw them enjoy a 32-17 edge at the end of two quarters.

And midway in the third period, SLU took command of the ball game by coming up with a 10-0 run for a 42 -17 edge with less than four minutes left.

Sharlene Almazan added eight points for SLU, while Jasle Nool and Denielle Labita put up a good fight for the Carmelians with 11 and 10 points each.

The tournament will have a single round robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-final round and with the top two teams enjoying a twice to beat advantage.

The girls division, the boys 16 and 14 under will also see action in the more-than-a-month tournament.

Meanwhile, organizers of this year’s Miners Cup has pledged some P30,000 in financial assistance for deserving student players seeing action in the ongoing basketball tournament.

At least six players will be receiving P5,000 each to support their education for at least a year according to event organizer Engr. Zards Gacad of the event backed by Club 7882 SLU Boys High, Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association, Philex Mining Corporation and Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company.

Last year, a P20,000 cash assistance was also given to four players at the close of the tournament while as of this writing, the 16 under division opening match between SLU and Magsaysay National High School is ongoing. (Roderick Osis)

Team Lakay inks pact with One FC

By Roderick Osis

AN EIGHT-fight contract spanning three years looms for the some of the best fighters based in the Summer Capital, and five of the country’s best mix martial artists of the country will soon be part of Asia’s fastest growing mix martial arts promotion.

Larry Fabian Photo 

“We recently signed the partnership with One Fighting Championship as we bring our best fighters all over Asia,” said Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao.

Eduard Folayang, who earlier headlined the first One FC event, will be joined by fellow champions Kevin Belingon, Rey Docyogen, Honorio Banario and Geje Eustaquio.

Except for Eustaquio, Folayang, Belingon, Docyogen and Banario are champions in their respective weight class in the Universal Reality Combat Championship.

“These fighters are probably some of the best in the Asian region and we hope to bring in more Team Lakay fighters in the near future,” said One Fighting Championship chief executive officer Victor Cui in a recent visit to the Phillipines.

Cui added the partnership with Team Lakay will be one of their priorities within this year, as they eye more fights outside Singapore, which include Malaysia, Macau, and even in Manila.

The ONE FC top honcho added that the partnership is eyed to develop a career for mix martial arts fighter in the country in a long span of time.

One Fighting Championship is Asia’s largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts (MMA) event. One FC features the best Asian fighters and the largest pan-Asian media broadcast.

Adivay run fires off November 20

WITH all roads leading to the Wangal Sports Complex for the mass start and finish, it’s all systems go for the November 20 Adivay run-for-a-cause firing off at 5:00 in the morning.

Close to 200 runners from all walks of life are expected to answer the starting gun in the event which aims to further promote the sport of running while at the same time advocating a healthy lifestyle to all.

Organizers have decided to change the venue of the start and finish line originally from the Benguet Provincial Capitol grounds to the Wangal Sports Complex to give participants the chance to check out the trade fair stalls of the various municipalities near the area.

The complex is currently home to the province’s 13 municipalities showcasing their best as part of Benguet’s month long founding anniversary celebration.

Proceeds of this event will go directly to the indigent patients of the Benguet Renal Center and the Province Scholarship Program for the less privileged but deserving students of Benguet's 13 municipalities.

The race is divided into four categories with three kilometers (3K) set for 12 years old and below and another for 13 years old and above.

Adults are joining either the 5K or 10K as registration formally ended November 15.

Registration came with a race kit to including commemorative shirt and race bib while cash prizes and medals await the top finishers per category.

Medals will also be awarded to top five male and female finishers of the 5K distance and for the top 10 finishers of the 10K run. (Roderick Osis)

Cordi wrestler bags gold in SEA Games

IFUGAO pride Jason Balabal came up with a sterling performance Tuesday evening to win the country’s second gold in wrestling in the ongoing 26th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Indonesia.

Balabal scored the second gold in the Greco–Roman wrestling competition after Margarito Angana scored the first gold in the competition, which opened Monday adding to the country’s pile up of 15 gold medals after three days of competition.

The 25-year-old Ifugao native emerged unscathed from all his three matches Tuesday to top the 84-kg Greco-Roman event and will now set his sights on the freestyle gold when he competes anew in his regular event in the competitions’ final day Thursday.

Meanwhile, a runner from the University of Baguio scored her first medal in the biennial competition in athletics.

Seeing action in his first SEA games, Katherine Santos scored her first medal by bagging the bronze medal in the long jump event.

Santos was a perennial gold medalist for University of Baguio in Prisaa meets and was recruited for the national team after the Philippine National Games.

The 21-year-old Santos quickly made an impact in her first SEA Games stint by capturing the bronze medal with a leap of 6.25 meters.

Lady boxer Alice Kate Appari, meanwhile, is seeing action as of this writing in the quarterfinals of the light flyweight division as she squares off against Laosian Mieovady Hangfa in Palembang.

Wushu, the country’s gold mine in the past SEA Games, opens its campaign Friday as competition in taolo begins including the preliminaries in sanshou, the combative side of wushu.

Veterans and Baguio-based wushu campaigners John Keithley Chan, Mark Eddiva, Benjie Rivera, Edward Folayang, brothers Daniel and Denver Parantac, and Thornton Quieney Lou Sayan will banner the 18-man field in the biennial competitions.

Joining the group are Jessie Aligaga, Mary Jane Estimar, Engelbert Andongan, Denbert Arcita, and Eleazar Jacob.

Completing the team are female wushu artists Rhea May Rifani, Marianne Mariano, Kariza Chan, Kathlynn Sabalburo, and Natasha Laxamana. The five female wushu players are also based in the city.

More teams see action in BMV-MGD football

SEVENTY-six teams and counting.

With barely two weeks before it opens, more teams are expected to join the first Vergara-Domogan Street Kids Football Club aimed to help provide decent homes for Baguio’s under privileged.

Following the success of recent tournaments in the Summer Capital, teams from as far as Tarlac, Pangasinan, and La Union are set to see action in the monthlong tournament organized by Goshen Land and Baguio United Football Club.

“More than the football tournament, we want to seek sponsorship and raise the seed money for our proposed street kids shelter that will also include an educational fund and livelihood programs,” said Goshen Land chief executive officer Alex Bangsoy.

Opening on November 27, the tournament is also in cooperation with the City Government of Baguio, together with Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Representative Bernie Vergara. It will be held during all weekends from November 27 to December 18 at the Melvin Jones and Athletic Bowl.

Two playing dates are also scheduled at the Teachers Camp Football field.

Bangsoy added Goshen Land has already committed to donate a piece of land to build the home for street kids who will be faithful to their football training and subject to the rules and regulations of the program.

“The goal of the tournament is long a shot and hopefully sustainable as we open sponsorship which starts at P2 so even privileged kids can help in this activity,” added Bangsoy.

Seven divisions are set to compete for top honors with trophies for champion, first runner-up, second runner-up and third runner-up will be up for grabs.

Individual awards (Best Goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker, fair play and MVP) will also be given out in the tournament.

Registration for the men’s open will be at P500, while the ladies open will have it at P300, while the different age group competitions starting from the 8 under up to 16 under for boys and girls will be at P200.

Interested teams and sponsorship inquiries may send e-mail request to baguiounited @gmail.com and nestor_udan @yahoo.com. (Roderick Osis)

Navarro, Corton lead Sparty 2 winners

UPCOMING mix martial arts fighters took the limelight Saturday evening and proved their worth to be the country’s next promising fighters in the fastest growing sport in the world.

Seven amateur bouts saw action at the La Trinidad Municipal Gym in the event dubbed Sparty II Adivay Challenge as Lakay Shape Right Fitness and Martial Arts gym hopes to encourage and mould a new breed of mix martial artists in Benguet.

Leading the victors during Saturday’s event was Joasapat Navarro who won a four-round decision over Biondy Dayangadang in the event supported by Colt 45 in cooperation with the Province of Benguet and the Municipality of La Trinidad.

Navarro, who was fighting in the 55-57 kilogram (kg) weight class, did not mind being overweight by three beyond the limit pushing the fight to a decisive winner take all fourth round after both fighters failed to win it during the three-round limit.

Nicolo Espadero, meanwhile, edged Jade Basingao in the 65-67 kgs division, while Denver Dingcawat stopped Ronnel Gabriel in their 55-57 weight class division.

Jonathan Christopher Corton demolished Mark Dictaan to win the fight of the night honors in the event also being supported by PSEC, Valley Bread, Ibayan, Health 100, Masferre, Sem-R, NIIT Baguio, ML Carantes, The Log Cabin Sagada, Armiro and Bradley Guilian, and the Wushu Federation of the Philippines.

In the undercards of the evening, Felixander Bagayao won over Domar Saguipil, while Rex Castro defeated Darryl Faghayan.

Prenslee Belino opened the evening with a win over Jack Suldayan in the event organized by Jazor Ablasi, a mix martial arts fighter of the famed Team Lakay.

Inspired by the surprisingly successful first Sparty bout held last September 10, Ablasi said this prompted them to do a sequel.

The event was also supported by Dr. Lee Buasen, Dr. Dave Taclobao, Chisamay Kedweng, Egly Diaz, Orfa Kidweng, Arlowe Garcia and Arch. Mark Tidang. (Roderick Osis)

Team Lakay fighters all set for PXC 28

WITH barely a week to go, Team Lakay fighters Geje Eustaquio and Crisanto Pitpitunge eye stellar performances in the upcoming Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) 28 on November 26 at the Ynares Sports Center.

Scoring their first wins in the PXC 26 event held last August, Eustaquio and Pitpitunge are set to strut their wares anew in Guam’s biggest mix martial arts promotion.

“Both fighters will be good to go although hinahabol pa namin yung kondisyon ni Crisanto kasi he took a long break for his board exams in criminology,” said Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao.

Eustaquio knocked out cold Rogelito Plomeda at the 3:50 mark of round number two in their encounter, while Pitpitunge seemed to have lady luck on his side after Guam's Alex Castro incurred an injury and failed to continue after the opening round.

“Although medyo naghahabol si Crisanto sa training, kaya natin habulin yung kondisyon niya sa two weeks na hard training,” added Sangiao.

Pitpitunge, a BS Criminology graduate and at the same time taking up his masters at the University of the Cordilleras, will be pitted against upcoming Angelito Cimeni.

Eustaquio, also taking up his masters at UC, will square off against winless David Cho in the undercard which will be headlined by the two up and coming lightweight fighters in Asia, Jon Tuck versus Filipino lightweight prospect Tristan Arenal.

Incidentally, Tuck is the undefeated fighter to beat Eduard “The Landslide” Folayang via KO two years ago in Guam.

Pitpitunge will gun for his second win in his career with one loss, while Eustaquio eyes his third straight win in mix martial arts.

The two Baguio-based Team Lakay fighters will also be accompanied by another Cordilleran, Denver Labador of the Philippine Army in the undercard squaring off against Orlimer Cleste.

Baguio to host four-region Batang Pinoy qualifying leg

BAGUIO will host the Northern-Central Luzon qualifying leg of the revived “Batang Pinoy” children’s national games, with between 3,000 to 4,000 athletes expected to come for the 14-event competitions set November 24-27 in various venues here.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan has created a local technical working group headed by city administrator Carlos Canilao to firm up the hosting offered by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) executive director Chito Loyzaga and Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez.

One of the biggest sports events to hit the city in years, the qualifying leg is open to in and out-of-school youth aged 13 to 15 who will represent their respective cities, provinces and towns in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the Cordilleras.

“The PSC has estimated between 3,000 to 4,000 athletes signing up for the four-day meet,” said Melchor Tagayona of the city sports office. “The ballpark figures do not include officials.”

Winners will represent the four-region cluster to the national level set on December 10-13 in Naga City, according to Gaudencio Gonzales, officer-in-charge of the city sports office.

The PSC explained “Batang Pinoy” was revived to become a recruitment base for athletes who will undergo high-level training in preparation for the second Youth Olympic Games set in Nanjing, China in 2014.

Except in boxing which is limited to boys and a maximum of nine weight fighters per local government unit, each delegation is allotted three boys and three girls in archery, seven each in arnis, 14 each in athletics, four in each division in badminton, four for the 3-on-3 basketball, one each in chess, seven each in judo, 20 each in swimming, three each in table tennis, eight each in taekwondo, four each in tennis, five each in weightlifting, and seven for boys and three for girls in wrestling.

Entries in gymnastics will be competing directly in the national final.

Athletes must be accredited by their respective local government units based on the residency of the athletes’ parents.

The city sports office released last Thursday the following venues and event contact persons: athletics – PSC track oval at the Teachers’ Camp, Danilo Alimbuyao; archery – Baguio Athletic Bowl, John Hongitan; basketball – St. Louis University; boxing – Cooyesan Hotel, Boy Catolico; badminton – Baguio City National High School, Dr. Lolia Nanzano and Jose Jardin; lawn tennis – Baguio Tennis Court at the athletic bowl, Allen Flores; swimming – city swimming pool, Donald Malipe; table tennis – University of the Philippines, Lando Florendo; taekwondo – University of Baguio, Arnold Oglayon and Melvin Morte; wrestling – Engineer’s Hill covered court, Teresa Asuncion.

Still being finalized are venues for arnis under Ayatolah Gadaoni, chess under Allan Elegado, gymnastics coordinated by Albin Santos, judo under Jorge Borja and Corazon Aljido, and weightlifting.

Based on track records, Baguio is expected to find gold medal hauls in athletics, archery, combat sports like boxing, judo, taekwondo and wrestling, aside from swimming.

With Canilao and Gonzales in the local technical working group are Youth Council federation president and City Councilor Cheryl Dinney Yangot, city schools superintendent Ellen Donato, PSC-Teachers Camp sports manager Juanito Smith and executive assistant Jose Atanacio of the City Mayor’s Office.

Delegations from the Cordillera will be billeted at the Quezon elementary School, Ilocos Region will be housed at the Baguio Central Elementary School, Cagayan Valley at Mabini Elementary School and Central Luzon at the Baguio City National High School. (Ramon Dacawi)

4 Baguio pugs earn berth in national tilt

FORMER Palarong Pambansa stalwart Reynaldo Yatar showed his vast experience in local competition as he led three other Baguio upcoming amateur boxers in the recently.

Yatar first stopped his opponent from Bicol on a 3-2 victory, then stopped a Puerto Princesa fighter on a 6-5 note and followed it up with a 10-1 lopsided win against a Las Piñas fighter in the semis, 10-1.

A first year criminology student from the University of Baguio, Yatar won the gold medal in his last bout via a referee stoppage contest in the first round for the pin weight division.

Luciano Dimas, a fourth year high school at the Guisad Valley National High School, also struck gold by winning against a Muntinglupa (6-3) and a Mandaluyong (16-10) fighter for the light flyweight division.

Two other fighters earned a quarterfinals berth with Harmon Valdo and Marty Odasing, both from UB, taking up Criminology.

“Our 4 boxers are qualified to compete in the next stage of ABAP tournament, the National Amateur Boxing Championships, which will be held in Tacloban City,” said former national coach Boy Catolico.

Close to 170 boxers from the different provinces, cities, municipalities of Luzon, including Romblon and Palawan.

The National Amateur Boxing Championship is the “battle of the bests,” tournament featuring the talent of the survivors in the four regional championships which Abap hosted.

The competitors will be divided into four age groups with eight to nine weight classes each for boys and girls. (Roderick Osis)

Stallions honored in council resolution

By Roderick Osis
Monday, October 31, 2011

MONTHS after their victory in the first Asian 5-aside of the Special Olympics, the City Council finally took notice of their feat and has given them a commendation during last week’s council session.

The Baguio Stallions, who fought against all odds to reach Malaysia last September for the five nation tournament which serves as an Asian Qualifier, where the Philippines is set to represent the country anew in the tournament.

“The City Government of Baguio congratulates the team for their victory despite the adversaries,” reads a part of the resolution sponsored by Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas.

It will be the second time that a team from Baguio has represented the country in the event after a disastrous 2010 where they failed to join the Asian qualifier due to financial constrain.

However, this year, the team has made extra effort to reach Kota Kinabalu in September for the tournament.

Playing as if it will be their last for the country, the Stallion FC blasted home team Malaysia B in their opening game, 3-0 then wrapped up their second victory with a 5-1 drubbing of Indonesia.

The squad then followed it up with another 3-2 win against Singapore in an exhibition match before closing the campaign with another 3-0 triumph with team captain and striker Rommel Bautista scoring seven in those four games.

Returning back to the country after their feat, the squad came home unnoticed when the Philippine Volcanoes, arriving the same day, hogged the limelight after winning the silver in the 2011 Asian Men’s Rugby 7s Championship.

“The agility, strength, endurance, and discipline these Baguio Stallions had displayed is remarkable, proving that Cordillerans are born to conquer every field of sports,” added the resolution.

By winning the gold medal, this will not stop the Stallions from playing in another Asian tournament hopefully to be hosted by the country later this year after their Malaysia win supported by FRB Foundation and Victory Liner.

This time, the Stallions, composed of Bautista, Mark Louie Moran, Raymund Galiste, Roy Abraham Atienza, Jerry Sanchez Jr., Rustom Mulle, Kirk Napeek, and Ted Joshua Sabino will be eyeing a spot in the six or seven aside of the tournament and adding other players in their roster.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on November 01, 2011.

Hopes high for Team Lakay in next PXC Event

By Roderick Osis
Sunday, October 30, 2011

WITH their upcoming fight seen to elevate their rankings in the country’s top mix martial arts (MMA) scene, Team Lakay is all set to go anew in the next Pacific Xtreme Combat next month.

Jasor Ablasi, Geje Eustaquio, and Crisanto Pitpitunge will once again square off with the country’s best mix martial arts fighter in the Guam based fighting promotions which is slated November 26.

“The guys are all good to go,” said Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao in a text message for PXC’s next event at the Ynares Sports Arena.

The trio has been working double time in the gym, proving their first victory in the Guam-based MMA promotions was no fluke.

Although no opponents have yet to be named against the three, Sangiao remains upbeat of their chances, saying the trio has been training alongside Southeast Asian Games bound Eduard Folayang and Mark Eddiva.

“We’re hoping na sana ma duplicate ulit nila yung ginawa nila nung una silang lumaban sa PXC,” added Sangiao.

Bantamweight Ablasi scored a unanimous victory against Kyle Aguon despite a shorter reach and the lack of height during the PXC 26 event at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila, August 21.

Estaquio knocked out Rogelito Plomeda at the 3:50 mark of round number two in their encounter, while Pitpitunge seemed to have lady luck on his side after Guam’s Alex Castro incurred an injury and failed to continue after the opening round.

Pacific Xtreme Combat is region’s premier mixed martial arts organization established in 2003 on the island of Guam, PXC has hosted more than 25 professional MMA events and over 50 amateur fights.

PXC has been looking forward to having more events in the country to be tapped and part of the organization’s long-term goals to make PXC a significant event and add to its stable of international fighters.

With its recent expansion into the Philippines, PXC will continue to promote the development of local and regional athletes to compete in world class settings.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on October 31, 2011.

Lawmaker bats for more funding in sports

BENGUET Representative Ronald Cosalan is set to pitch in more funds for sports in the province.

Following the P1-million funding of La Trinidad town’s football and baseball program, Cosalan has urged the other municipalities to come up with their own community sports program to avail of such funding.

“If we could give one million for La Trinidad, then we could also give other towns funding for their sports program,” said Cosalan.

La Trinidad recently formulated program for baseball and football from the P1 million, which came from the Benguet lawmaker.

Cosalan said the financial support for the two sports came from his priority development assistance fund. He said baseball and football are the two sports where the municipality can excel locally and internationally.

Earlier this year, La Trindad Mayor Greg Abalos opened the sports summit held in the valley with an aim to prepare the blueprint of a comprehensive development program for the capital town.

The proposed creation of a municipal sports council was one of the decisions reached by concerned officials after the summit, with a hope that the body will be able to identify and train individual and group of local athletes that will compete in national and international events.

“We want to focus on all sports like boxing, volleyball but not basketball because we want to develop the potential of the youth in sports here in Benguet,” added Cosalan.

Cosalan also said that his office is set to release additional funding for Benguet’s sports development that will be allotted to the municipalities that will come with sports program aside from La Trinidad. (Roderick Osis)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on October 31, 2011.