2 PH boxing silvers in the bag

Puerto Princesa—Rising star Kenneth dela Peña and accomplished amateur John Vincent Pangga posted contrasting semifinals victories Sunday, assuring the Philippines of at least two silver medals in the ASBC Asian Juniors Boxing Championships at Puerto Princesa City Coliseum.

Just one year into the sport, Dela Peña flaunted speed and skill in trouncing Chinese Taipei’s Yu Chen-Ching, 5-0, in their pinweight (44-46kg) tussle.

An eight-year ring veteran, Pangga had to weather Kazakhstan’s Talgat Syrymbetov’s last-round assault to tally a 3-2 victory in the flyweight (50kg) category.

The 16-year-old Dela Peña, a Grade 10 student from General Santos City, landed unanswered punches on the Taiwanese’ face for a standing eight-count near the end of the third and final round that highlighted his vast improvement since bagging the silver medal in last year’s Batang Pinoy.

Only 15 but already a four-time Batang Pinoy and 2016 Palarong Pambansa champion, Pangga connected with a left-right combination on Syrymbetov in the first round to force a standing eight-count.

It turned out to be the deciding factor as the Kazakh national junior champion turned aggressor and had the fading Pangga on the retreat in the third round.

Author: Roy Luarca
Full Article: http://sports.inquirer.net/259549/2-ph-boxing-silvers-bag