Former stars’ sons shine in Batang Pinoy

NAGA CITY—Following their fathers’ footsteps, Roberto Miguel Jalnaiz and brother Rafael, along with Jamil Joseph, starred in their respective events at the close of the Batang Pinoy 2011 national finals Tuesday at the Metro Naga sports complex.

The Jalnaiz brothers are children of former national boxer Roberto Jalnaiz Jr., who is also coaching the two here. Roberto Miguel won the 44-kg division (paperweight) while Rafael ruled the 36-kg class (minimumweight).

Their father is actually the coach of the Misamis Oriental boxing team and sent four boxers to the finals at the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary. The elder Roberto is a two-time Olympian and an Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games champion.

“I’m very proud of [my sons]. I know that they will surpass my achievements,” said Roberto, who lost his 1992 Barcelona Olympics quarterfinal bout against Cuban legend and eventual bantamweight champion Joel Casamayor.

Joseph, meanwhile, is the son of Jaime Sebastian, the late legendary PH weightlifter who also dominated the SEA Games during his prime.

Joseph, representing Caloocan, ruled the boys 44-kg category in weightlifting. Joseph showed flashes of his old man, who is a two-time World champion, two-time Asian Games titlist and 17-time SEA Games gold medalist.

The 13-year-old Rafael, who like his brother idolizes world champion Nonito Donaire Jr., finished off EJ Nares of Tayabas in the second round via referee-stopped-contest.

Later Roberto Miguel, 14, scored a 9-1 win over Hipolito Banal Jr. of Cebu. It was sweet revenge for Roberto Miguel, who yielded to Banal in last year’s Palarong Pambansa in Tarlac.

Roberto Miguel attributed that loss to Banal, brother of pro boxer AJ Banal who had former world champion Dodie Boy Peñalosa at his side, to drastic weight reduction and lack of sleep.

“I don’t sleep well in a different environment,” said Roberto Miguel, a sophomore at Mogues National High School. The Jalnaiz brothers are part of the 40-boxer stable of Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno.

Zamboanga City collected six gold medals in weightlifting through Elbert Atilano Jr., in 46 kg, Edwin Lucero of Pasay in 50 kg, Joseph Dingalasa in 56 kg, John Kyle Macrohon in 56+ kg in boys, and Rossana Mendoza in 40 kg, Patricia Ann Gregorio in 48 kg and Lyann Pineda in 48+ kg in girls. Also winning golds were Ellen Rose Perez of Bohol in girls 44kg and Darryl Ann Ancuelo of Manila in girls 36kg.

Other boxing gold medalists were Ven Joshua Vanguardia of Panabo City in 36kg, Kit Ceron Garces of Talisay in 40kg, Mario Bautista of Himamaylan in 42kg, Junreal Jimenez of Cebu in 46kg, Michael John Bahena of Panabo in 48kg, Jessie Diaz of Tayabas in 50kg, and Angelou Plania of Gen. Santos City in 52kg.

A total of 88 local government units took part in the five-day search for the country’s next sports superstar.

The event, which had regional stops throughout the country, was sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Smart, Maynilad and Summit Drinking Water.