MANILA, Philippines—The PLDT-ABAP national team barely got past its first two bouts at the start of the 2013 ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships at the Subic gym.
The third match though was a different story as the Philippines went three-for-three in the first round.
Flyweight Ian Clark Bautista’s inexperience showed as his showboating almost cost him a victory in his 52-kilogram first round bout with India’s Kavinder Bisht.
Fortunately for Bautista, who trailed, 9-10, after three rounds, he landed a right cross off a counterpunch that staggered his opponent in the closing seconds to force the countback.
The Filipino came out on top in the individual score of the five judges, 33-30.
“Medyo naninibago pa sa ganitong laban kaya naging pabaya ng konti pero mako-correct din naman yon sa next fights niya,” said national coach Romeo Brin, a former Olympian.
Lightweight James Palicte on the other hand, built an early lead that proved to be enough in holding off a late push by Japan’s Yuuta Akiyama.
Wold Youth champion Eumir Felix Marcial had enough of nerve-racking moments for the Philippines as he stopped Turkmenistan’s Shamurat Cherkezov in 2:02 of the second round in their 64kg light welterweight bout.
Meanwhile, World junior bronze medalist Jade Bornea and Jonas Bacho drew byes and will debut Tuesday in the competition for 17-18-year-olds, a tournament backed by the MVP Sports Foundation, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, PLDT, Smart, NLEX, Maynilad, Clarktel, Subictel, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Videogear Inc., Exile Lights and Sound, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Sports Commission, and supported by Sony Philippines, Coca-Cola Bottlers, and Nestle Philippines.
Bornea squares off with Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev while Bacho clashes with Sri Lanka’s Ruchira Gunasena.