BACOLOD CITY?Himamaylan City bet Orlando Tacuyan Jr. made short work of Cebu?s Reynante Buctot Tuesday night to forge an intriguing lightweight semifinal showdown with fellow national pool standout Charly Suarez of the Philippine Army in the Smart-ABAP National Open Amateur Boxing Championships here.
Tacuyan, a veteran of two Olympic qualifying events last year, used a relentless approach to earn a referee-stopped-contest outclassed victory with 54 seconds remaining in the first round.
?I wanted to impress the coaches,? said the 20-year-old Tacuyan, who is representing his father?s hometown, which is fielding a team for the first time in the tournament.
Tacuyan?s younger brother, Fernando, though, was shown the door by Alvin Sibugan of Bacolod in the 37-kg class of the school boys division.
Suarez subdued Philippine Navy-B?s Junel Cantancio, 13-4, in a virtual brawl between members of the national pool.
?I think I can beat Tacuyan,? said Suarez, who holds a 2-1 head-to-head edge against the Himamaylan bet with his latest win coming in the Go-for-Gold event early this month.
Meeting in the other semifinal bout were Philippine Navy-A?s Joegin Ladon, who won via walkover against Alvin Brevonig of Tayabas, and Robert Alcala of Pacman Saranggani, who ousted John Dalingay of Nueva Vizcaya.
Joan Tipon opened his title defense in style with a swift and merciless beating of Benedict Vergara, who was stopped 1 minute and 17 seconds into the first round.
