Laurente, Pangga cruise to 5-0 wins in Asian Jrs.
Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa standouts Criz Russu Laurente and John Vincent Pangga claimed unanimous decision victories over fancied opponents Wednesday to mark the opening day action of the ASBC Asian Junior Boxing Championships in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Laurente downed China's Cai Yujun in the preliminaries of the 48 kg light flyweight class while Pangga outclassed Uzbekistan's national junior champion Amirbek Ibodullayev in the 50 kg flyweight category of the Asian competition for 15 to 16 year old boxers after earning 5-0 verdicts from the judges.
Laurente advanced to the quarterfinals where he will face Kazakhstan's Makhmud Sabirkhan while Pangga takes on United Arab Emirates' Saif Alkharoossi today.
Kenneth de la Pena and Norlan Petecio drew byes to advance to the quarters of the tournament supported by Palawan Gov. Jose Ch. Alvarez, City Mayor Lucilo Bayron, the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, Maynilad, PLDT, Wesing, Meralco, Meralco One Foundation, Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Corporation and Hotel Centro Puerto Princesa.
“Great start by our fresh recruits from the ABAP grassroots program. We are underdogs here, but let's hope our boys can draw inspiration from crowd support and that they can do well,” said ABAP President Ricky Vargas, who closely monitored the event by phone with secretary-general Ed Picson.
Laurente, whose father Cristino is a coach, mother Rosalinda a national referee-judge and brothers Criz Sander and Criztian Pitt are bemedaled national boxers, displayed skill and guile against his Chinese foe to earn the nod from the judges.