ShareThisPANABO City, Davao del Norte (PNA) – The province of Davao del Norte proved its worthiness as this region’s seat of boxing power after its athletes copped the overall title of the 2010 PLDT-ABAP Mindanao Area Boxing Amateur Tournament in this city.
PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL TEAM. President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates the “Azkals”, the Philippine Men’s National Football Team during their courtesy call at tMalacañang Palace. The Pinoy booters are set for a semis matchup against Indonesia on December 16, 2010 at the 80,000-seat Gelora Bung Kamo Stadium in Jakarta for the AFF Suzuki Cup. The win by the 151strankedPhilippines against Vietnam, 13 notches higher in the FIFA world rankings, was thebiggest upset in the tournament, and perhaps even in the history of Southeast Asian football.The AFF Suzuki Cup is a biennial football competition.
The province, which has been providing a steady influx of quality amateur and professional fighters as well outpointed emerging boxing hotbed Misamis Oriental in the final tally of a cumulative point system based on medals won by every team.
Davao City youngster John Vincent Moralde, however, stole the limelight by winning the “Boxer of the Tournament” trophy as he impressed officials with the way he dominated the bantamweight class of the Junior Boys’ division.
Moralde won the gold by scoring a 2nd round RSC over hometown bet Marvilo Aballe.
Officials and coaches of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the event as they have spotted numerous talents that may be tapped to join the national training pool.
“The tournament is one of the best organized and best fought. Our national coaches spotted a lot of talent who will be tested for those chosen in the Luzon, Visayas and National Capital Region (NCR) tournaments,” said ABAP Executive Director Ed Picson.
The ABAP holds its National finals from Jan. 22 to 28 next year in Cagayan de Oro City.
The event was participated in by 232 boxers representing 21 clubs from different parts of the region with Davao del Norte bagging the region’s most prestigious trophy, the Tony Boy Cup which honors Mindanao’s ardent boxing benefactor and former Congressman Tony Boy Floirendo.
“We thank ex-Cong Tony Boy Floirendo, Cong. Anton Lagdameo and ABAP Deputy Executive Director Generose Tecson and her staff for a job well done.
The tournament is a proof positive that our grassroots development program is alive and kicking,” said Picson. (PNA)