NIETES WORKS OUT AT WILD CARD GYM

WBO minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes had his first light workout yesterday at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles after a 13-hour trip from the Philippines.

Nietes and AJ 'Bazooka' Banal arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday (Monday in RP) accompanied by Filipino trainer Edmund Villamor.

Nietes, Banal and Villamor were met at LAX by long-time supporters Ronald Sanchez and Charm San Jose of the LA-based 3C Wireless cellphone store and later feted with a sumptous dinner at the couple's residence along Edgemont and Beverly Blvd.

Also at the airport to meet them were LA-based Joan Secuya, the indefatigable Faye Basquenas and trainer Jeremiah Quijano, who will assist Villamor in Nietes's corner on fight night.

Nietes had his first workout yesterday at the Wild Card Gym, and did four rounds on the mitts and ten minutes skipping rope, said Wild Card Gym sources.

Nietes is slated to defend his title against Erik Ramirez of Mexico on Feb. 28 in Mexico City and is in Los Angeles for the final phase of his training and to acclimatize himself to the time difference and the weather before proceeding to Mexico on Feb. 23.

Sources say Nietes is set to spar with LA-based Rodel Mayol before proceeding to Mexico.