Masters Top 8 grabs spotlight
The top and rising players from four age group categories seek to come out strong from the holiday break as they clash in the Masters Top 8 which got under way yesterday at the SRJI Center Mall courts in San Carlos, Negros Occidental.
Ivan Manila from San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Butuan’s Vince Serna, and local bets Kirby Ramacho and Herman Illusorio head the boys’ cast in the 18-and-under class while Judy Anne Padilla from Ozamiz, La Carlota’s Alexa Milliam, AJ Acabo from Zamboanga Sibugay and Claire Nocos from Lapu-Lapu, Cebu lead the chase in the girls’ premier side of the event.
The tournament offers ranking points and features the Top 8 in various age categories as part of the PPS-PEPP’s incentive for those who did well in last year’s edition of the country’s longest talent-search.
It also serves as the kickoff leg of another full calendar, busy season not just for the youngsters but also for the country’s top men’s and women’s players (Open) and veterans (Legends) to be highlighted by championships that coincide with the host province’s festival celebrations.
The year’s second event running 11 to 17 January, will be the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City to be followed by the Gov. Fredenil Castro tournament from 19 to 24 January in Roxas City, Capiz, the Mayor Alfredo Benitez juniors from 26 to 31 January in Bacolod City and the Mayor Luigi Marcel Goni tilt from 2 to 7 February in Bais City, Negros Oriental.
Meanwhile, Lanao’s Mcleen Gomera and Sta. Rosa City’s Frank and France Dilao banner the boys’ 16-U field with Ormoc’s Kimi Brodeth and Alexi Jarata from La Union spearheading the title chase in the girls’ side of the netfest.
Completing the elite cast are Hans Cabellon, Cyril Paster, Thomas Gabuat and Alfonso Infante; Christine Gulagula, Julianna Carvajal, Sanshena Francisco and Jufe Ann Cocoy (180-U); Kurt Barrera, Gio Manito, Ariel Cabaral, Cyd Villamar and Reign Maravilla; Daveaine Gauran, Chloe Mercado, Dea Cua, Ma. Hannah Divinagracia, Chelsea Bernaldez and Nathalie Carmona (16-U). 21-year-old has yet to turn professional.
Staged by Never Quit Boxing Gym, Jimuel’s bout has the blessings of USA Boxing, the sanctioning body in charge for boxing in the United States.
Helping out Jimuel in his training in America is Marvin Somodio, who serves as Freddie Roach’s assistant at the Wild Card.
Meanwhile, Jerwin Ancajas’ proposed comeback fight in Cavite next month will no longer push through after it was decided that it would be better if the ex-world champion sets up camp in the United States instead.
“I have the world title fight for him when the time is right,” MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons said yesterday.
Ancajas reigned as International Boxing Federation super-flyweight king from September 2016 until February 20022 and made ten defenses of the 115-lb strap before losing it to Argentine Fernando Martinez.