Sydney
Olympics
Filipino BoxersRumble with Rumania
By JAIME K
PIMENTEL
Sydney, Sept 13. In its final sparring session before the Olympic Games, the
Philippine boxing team took on Rumania's Olympic squad in the Filipinos' most impressive
display at Bankstown PCYC last Tuesday, September 12.
The Rumanians boasted two European champions and several
world boxing cup medallists, but showed no edge over the Filipinos in four torrid
encounters.
 |
 |
 |
| Danilo Lerio |
Arlan Lerio |
Romeo Brin |
Light-flyweight Danilo Lerio, flyweight
Arlan Lerio, and light welterweight Romeo Brin faced opponents one weight class heavier
but took the fight to the Rumanians.
Danilo's opponent, a European champion, was several inches
taller and packed a heavier punch but was on the back foot through the four-round session.
Danilo waded into him and scored more punches from all
angles.
Arlan looked stylish and in complete control in his session
against the heavier Rumanian.
Most impressive was Romeo, who made the Rumanian full
welterweight work hard.
 |
 |
 |
| Larry
Semillano |
Ruel Laguna |
Anthony
Igusquiza |
Only lightweight Larry Semillano took on a
Rumanian under his weight class.
Larry had no trouble chasing his opponent and connecting
with his powerful combinations.
Bantamweight Ruel Laguna and featherweight Anthony
Igusquiza, who were still awaiting official entry to the Games, sparred each other.
Coach Raul Leranza remained non-committal about the team's
medal chances. A polite smile and a shrug were all Leranza would offer as responses.
The boxers were in good spirits, coaxing each other from
ringside during the sparring sessions.
They looked sharp, confident and, as Leranza said earlier,
were finally showing a hunger to win.
Let the games begin, the boys are ready.
 Jaime K. Pimentel is
a Sydney-based journalist and sub-editor with Fairfax Ltd. He has a bachelor's degree in
Journalism from Ateneo and a master's degree in Advertising and Newspaper Management from
Northwestern University (Chicago). He was previously a lecturer in Journalism at San Beda
and UST. Jimmy is also a scriptwriter and producer of Dramatic Philippines.
He loves and practices the sports he writes about. He was a boxing gold medallist during
his Ateneo days, an official of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines as a
referee and judge, and an Ateneo instructor in P.E. (boxing and swimming). In Australia,
he was also an amateur boxing referee. emanila team |
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