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BESADRE GUNS FOR GOLD PhilBoxing.com Wed, 08 Apr 2009 BANGKOK ? Under different circumstances, the gold medal should be there for the taking for light welterweight Genebert Besadre and Smart-Team Philippines. In a clinical demonstration of amateur boxing at its best, Besadre smothered Korean Joun Buk Hwan, 16-6, in their 64-kilogram semifinal clash Wednesday to reach the final of the 31st King?s Cup tournament at the Convention Center of the Gnamwongwan Mall here. Basadre will go up versus Sansit Apachet of host Thailand Thursday, however, raising the odds sky high against the Filipino. The 23 year-old from Misamis Oriental showed dominance from the onset even as the feisty Korean tried to drag him into a phone-booth rumble. The skillful Filipino showed versatility by scoring points from the outside and in. Basadre?s agile lateral movements posed additional problems for Joun who whiffed many of his punches. But even as Team RP celebrated Besadre?s triumph, the frenzy was tempered by the loss suffered by 17-year-old Gerson Nietes. Running into a brick wall after two impressive wins in the 48-kg. light flyweight division, Nietes was taken the school by 30-year-old Thai Keaw Pongprayoon in the first two rounds, prompting RP coaches Ronald Chavez and Elmer Pamisa to pull him out for the third despite protestations from the youthful pug from Bacolod City. ?Masyadong nagugulangan at hindi ini-score yong mga patama niya kaya minabuti naming huwag nang i-expose sa frustration yong bata,? said Chavez. The fresh graduate from the Emiliano Lizares High in Bacolod settled for the bronze medal along with lightweight Joegin Ladon, who had to forfeit his semifinal match because of a nasty cut suffered in his 15-5 win over Hudaybergenov of Turkmenistan Tuesday. Delegation head Ed Picson, ABAP executive director, is optimistic about Basadre?s gold medal chances. ?Everyone feels Genebert has superior skills,? Picson said. ?Of course, the hometown advantage can never be discounted especially because all of our losses here have been to Thais.? Only Basadre was able to get past Thailand in his convincing victory in the quarters over Maethee Namuang of Team B, 15-3. Aston Francis Palicte, Joan Tipon, Charly Suarez and Nietes all bowed to fighters from the host country, but Picson said the team got a lot of respect from other participating countries. ?I have been approached by so many people, including Thais, who were impressed by the skill of our boxers,? Picson said. ?In fact, we have many invitations from other countries for their tournaments, dual meets and even for training camps. If only for that and the many friendships we fostered here, I feel the trip has been fruitful.? ABAP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan sent a text message congratulating the boxers for ?their valor and for making us Filipinos proud,? adding, ?I salute their efforts and look forward to welcoming them home soon.? Smart Communications has been sponsoring the Philippine boxing program while participation in the King?s Cup was funded by the Philippine Sports Commission under chairman Harry Angping. Thailand is in seven of nine gold medal fights today, with their local boxers disputing the championship in three divisions. The host country fielded two teams in the competition held in honor of their monarch. Going to the final day, the Philippines ranks fifth in the team standings behind Thailand A, Korea, Thailand B and Australia. There are 16 teams from 15 countries in the tournament. Top photo: The Philippines' Genebert Basadre (L) exchanges leathers with Korea's Joun Buk Hwan during a second round action of their semifinal fight Wednesday in Bangkok, Thailand. |
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