PSC-Pacquiao Cup Visayas quarters unfurls in Naga today

CEBU, Philippines — The much-awaited Visayas quarterfinals of the PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup fires off today at the  Enan Chiong Activity Center (ECAC) in the City of Naga south of Cebu.

Sixty-two pugs from different cities and provinces are vying for the slots to the semifinals on March 10 in San Jose, Antique, according to supervising technical director Rogelio Fortaleza of the PSC Philippine Sports Institute.

Teams Omega-Mandaue and Bago City are the top qualifiers with seven boxers each seeing action in the two-day event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission in coordination with the Office of Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Omega will be bannered by Alex Andrhei Bonita (44-46 kgs.), Jim Paul Dignos (48 kgs.) and Gaudfrey Lubiano (50 kgs.) in the junior boys division.

Omega also has Arlan Wenn Melgo (46-49 kgs.), April Jay Abne (52 kgs.), Jhorhe Pasculado (56 kgs.) and Jarah Hury Aragon (60 kgs.) in the youth boys category.

Bago, on the other hand, is composed of Rodel Gamo (44-46 kgs.), Samuel Manale (48 kgs.), Stephen Plania (50 kgs.) and Flint Jara (52 kgs.) in the junior boys and Carlo Guevarra (46-49 kgs.), Jasper John Anida (56 kgs.) and Mark Lyndon Bolanos (60 kgs.) in the youth boys.

Cebu City has five qualifiers – Angelo Bulasa Jr., Eduardo Jimenez, Jake Tabanao, John Paul Gabunelas and Limbert Cainap, while Cebu City Sports Institute only has one – Jimmybie Cais (Youth Boys 46-49 kgs.).

Murcia and Victorias City both have six boxers.

Fighting for Murcia are Armand Jake Aragon, Joenel Francisco, Julius Salbibia, Jonimel John Dajao, Joven Caguan and Mike Angelo dela Torre while bringing the colors for Victorias are Cresante Caballero, Johncy Dolorosa, Christian Lanchica, Jowil Saludo,  Genel Alit and Herlan Gomez.

Escalante has four while Maasin, Sipalay, Cadiz, Bayawan and Calbayog each have three qualifiers.

The Visayas Finals will be held on March 31 in Maasin City, Southern Leyte.