A YOUNG fighter from General Santos City, who draws inspiration from icon Manny Pacquiao?s humble beginnings as a light-flyweight, claimed his second straight victory yesterday in the boxing competitions of the 2012 Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission Philippine National Games.
Seventeen-year-old Jake Bornea, who like his twin brother Jade was given a rare privilege to train with Pacquiao when the ring icon went home last month, pulled off a points? victory over Misamis Oriental bet Junuel Lacar in 49-kg division at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
Lacar finished their three-round match with the count tied at 16-all, but since Bornea was ahead at 9-4 in the first round, the win was awarded to him by the judges.
Bornea, who took charge in the first round with his series of counter-punches, advanced to the quarterfinal round with Zambales bet Reynard Sitenta, Camiguin?s Jene Boy Boca, Olongapo fighter Leonard Guevarra and Baguio?s Argie Alabado.
?Pa-pressure-pressure lang ang ginawa ko kanina,? said Bornea, who wore a blue jersey with Pacquiao?s initials MP inscribed on it.
In the pinweight class, another General Santos bet, Ronnie Tanalon made it to the quarterfinals via a referee-stopped-contest decision over Northern Samar?s Joselito Dupan in 2:25 of the second round.
In Sta. Cruz, Laguna, University of Santo Tomas bets Korina Paladin and Bianca Maurice Go claimed two of four golds so far in taekwondo as they topped the finweight and featherweight classes, respectively in the women?s division.
Paladin prevailed over Emilio Aguinaldo College-Manila?s Charlene Ordonez, while Go turned back schoolmate Ariane Asegurado.
