4 Cebuanos remain standing

CEBU, Philippines — The RC Goldline-backed Team Cebu City and Omega-Mandaue City are left with two bets each in the final round of the 2018 Philippine Sports Commission-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup National Championships at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

TCC’s John Paul Gabunelas advanced to the gold medal round after stopping Jet Maichael Lotino of Castillana in 43 seconds of the third round during their youth lightweight semifinal match.

Like Gabunelas, Mary Nicole Llamas also assured herself of at least a silver medal after sending home Baguio’s Janine Hazel Pangod.

Unfortunately, light flyweight Eduardo Jimenez, TCC’s brightest gold medal prospect in the juniors division, could only get a bronze after being mauled by Cagayan de Oro’s Mark Lester Durens, 1-4, in their semis duel.

Omega-Mandaue, for its part, sent light flyweight Jim Paul Dignos and flyweight Gaudfrey Lubiano to the finals in the juniors class, while its youth division fighters in bantamweight John Paul Panuayan and lightweight Jarah Aragon settled for bronze medals.

Dignos kept his championship hopes alive after beating Polomolok’s Generick Cabucos by unanimous decision, while Lubiano eked out a split decision verdict over Davao’s Reymund Albufera to stay in the hunt for the covered gold. (FREEMAN)