Ladon boosts title bid
JOEGEN Ladon of the Philippine Navy beat
Philippine Air Force’s-A Junel Cantancio to remain on course
for a possible showdown with former Asian champion Joan Tipon
in the featherweight division of the 2008 PLDT-Smart Open,
Youth and Women’s Amateur Boxing Championships at the
Robinson’s Place in Iloilo City .
Quarterfinals matches on Thursday night in
the seniors’ class saw Ladon breaking the defense of Cantancio,
a teammate in the national squad, with jabs and straights for
an easy 33-21 points win.
"Wala naman akong naging problema, pero
medyo sumakit itong kanang kamay ko. Pero hindi ito
makakaapekto sa susunod kong laban," said Ladon, 27, a native
of Bago City, who next faces Jherigs Chavez Dexter Santos
Gym), a 15-8 winner over Misamis Oriental’s Alfredo Basadre.
Tipon also advanced to the semifinals with
an even more impressive victory over Cebu City’s Jerry Pajal.
The 2006 Asian Games gold medalist, out to
regain his pride after consecutive disappointing showings in
international competitions, forced Pajal to quit just 35
seconds in the first round. Four left straights jolted Pajal,
who was wise enough to call it quits to avoid more punishment
from his veteran opponent.
Tipon, 26, who opened his campaign with an
RSC-CCL win over Allen Manaog from Northern Samar, takes on
Joel Haveria of Sorsogon in the next round. Haveria won 22-20
over Agustin Delarmino of host Iloilo.
Navy’s Lhyven Salazar leaned on his vast experience to beat
PAF and national pool member Jay-Ar Quiam in the bantamweight
class, while Airman Albert Pabila also advanced to the semis
of the light flyweight class of the weeklong meet .
