By CYRUS M. GARDE
BACOLOD City — Fighters from the 2nd and 3rd districts have advanced to the finals of the 5th Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. Cup open boxing tournament next month.
Set on Oct. 8 to 12 at the Bacolod Arts and Youth Sports Center here, the tournament finals will be part of the MassKara Festival celebration.
Filipino boxing icon and eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is expected to be the guest of honor.
Pacquiao is now preparing for his bout with the American Chris Algieri on Nov. 22 at the Cotai Arena in The Venetian Macao Resort, Macau, China.
Boxers who surpassed the 2nd District eliminations were Mark Stephen Parreñas of Sagay City in kids boys (28 kilograms), Jan-R Artajo of Sagay (34 kilograms), Reno John Baconggon of Cadiz City in school boys (38 kilograms), Eric De la Cruz of Cadiz in youth boys (52 kilograms), Renalyn Amparo in youth girls (44 kilograms), Arnold Jetajobe of Sagay in elite boys (49 kilograms), and Joemar Lobaton of Cadiz in elite boys (56 kilograms).
Third District fighters were John Rey Fraira of Murcia town in kids (28 kilograms), Arby Jay Bernil of EB Magalona in kids (30 kilograms), Joemel Francisco of Murcia in kids (32 kilograms), Justin Carl Nietes in 34 kilograms, and Jeric Piabol in 36 kilograms;
Jeric Lascano of Murcia-A in school and junior boys (38 kilograms), Mariel Sadje of Murcia-B in 40 kilograms, Gideon Nietes Jr. of Murcia-A in 42 kilograms, Radjie Escalona of Murcia in 44 kilograms, Gerson De La Cruz of Murcia in 46 kilograms, Marvin Baylon of Murcia in 48 kilograms, Mark Anthony Belenson of Murcia in 50 kilograms, and Bryan Tumanday of Talisay.
In the youth boys and girls divisions are Leo Esperalda of Murcia in 54 kilograms, Jomar Peroy of Murcia in 48 kilograms, Michael De La Paz of Murcia-A in 50 kilograms, and Eleazar Nietes of Murcia in 52 kilograms.
Under the elite division are Roly Francisco Jr., of Murcia in 49 kilograms, Elmer Libo-on of Murcia in 52 kilograms, Tomas Rebusit of Murcia in 56 kilograms, and Nilo Moderacion in 60 kilograms./PN
