UB athletes win medals in int’l boxing tournaments

TWO MEMBERS of the University of Baguio (UB) boxing team have raked in gold medals in tournaments here and abroad.

Nesthy Petecio, a second year HRM student of the University, captured the gold medal in the recently concluded International Boxing Open Tournament – 2nd Police Commissioner Cup held in Manado, Indonesia last July 2-10. Petecio also secured the gold medal at the 10th International Boxing Tournament in Khabarovsk, Russia held last May 1620. In addition, she dominated the XXXV International Feliks Stamm Tournament, which was held in Warsaw, Poland last March 12-16, bringing home the gold medal. Moreover, she bagged yet another gold medal when she ruled the Open International Boxing Tournament in India held last January 20 February 1. In July last year, she grabbed the bronze medal at the International Elite Boxing Tournament – President’s Cup in Kazakhstan.

Petecio is currently seeing action in the ongoing Asian Games in Indonesia from August 18 - September 2 and has been playing for the Philippine National Team since 2008.

The Davao lass, who has been doing boxing since high school, is now competing alongside her sister Nicezza Petecio, who has also signed up for the sport. Asked about her ultimate goal as a boxer, she said, “My father used to box, and it was his dream to be in the Olympics. I want to be able to play in the Olympics for him. He told me whatever achievements we have as his children are his achievements too.”

Meanwhile, Sugar Rey Ocana, a third year BS Criminology student of the university, brought home the bronze medal from the 1st Thailand Open Tournament held last June 27. Likewise, he grabbed the silver medal at the Asian Games Invitational Tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia last February 18-24. In addition, he won the gold medal during the Philippine National Games held May 19-25 in Cebu.

Ocana, who hails from Bukidnon, started playing for the Philippine National Team in 2014. Becoming interested in boxing in his elementary years, he was first trained by his father, who was a boxer himself.

The two athletes emphasized hard work and sheer discipline in managing to do both school and sports at the same time. In every win, you should never let it go to your head, they added.

They are trained by Nolito Velasco, Philippine National Team women’s head coach; Ronald Chavez, Philippine National Team elite head coach; and Patricio Gaspi, Philippine National Team overall head coach.

Both are also being trained by Marty Odasing, who serves as the coach of the UB boxing team.