DavNor boxing team vies for ABAP title

The Davao del Norte Barangay Una Boxing Team has already been in a month of rigid training as thirteen of its boxers are set to compete in the 2012 PLDT-ABAP National Amateur Boxing Championship slated on March 4-7,2012 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol Province.
The team, headed by its team manager Gene-rose Tecson and assisted by executive director Edwin Pardillo, is composed of campaigners in the Junior, Youth and Elite divisions who earlier emerged as champions in the Mindanao leg of the tournament.
In this year’s PLDT-ABAP (Philippines Long Distance Company – Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines), seasoned elite division participants include many-time Palaro, Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) and national championship medalists Jay-ar Inson (64 kgs.), Quirino Mellejor (60 kgs.), and Jolan Bonghanoy (52 kgs.).
To banner the team in the Youth Division would be Radjie Tabanao (56 kgs.), Welander Hersalia (60 kgs.), Joey Canoy (46 kgs.) and Marlon John Aguilar (60 kgs.).
Seiro Ellut (48 kgs.), Philip Jay Virador (52 kgs.), Rabicycle Gabriel (46 kgs.), Michael John Bahena (48 kgs.), Jobel Araneta (54 kgs.) and Charnie Jun Magsayo (50 kgs.) will battle it out in the Junior Division.
Former Barangay Una Boxer and National Champion Rey Mancao will head the coaching team along with his brother Ricarte, Rex Saludar, Lelios Siodina, Christiano Laurente and Sgt. Dick Varron, a guest coach/trainor from the Philippine Army.
They are expected to face stiff competition as champion boxers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao slug it out for prestige, honor and supremacy as they vie for slots to become the next amateur pugilist to represent the country in major international competitions.
Barangay Una Founder and current Anflocor Group vice chairman Tonyboy Floirendo leads the major backers of the team along with 2nd District Congressman Anton F. Lagdameo, Jr., Panabo City Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr. and Liga ng mga Barangay-Davao del Norte President Vicente “Enteng” Floirendo.
The Barangay Una Boxing Program is a multi-titled grassroots sports development program based in Panabo City, Davao del Norte that has produced the likes of 2010 Asian Games Gold Medalist Rey Saludar, Silver Medalist Victorio Saludar, 2012 London Olympics qualifier Mark Anthony Barriga, World Series of Boxing Mumbai fighter Charly Suarez and many others.