Moralde topples Uzbek foe, advances to Asian Youth semifinals
Manila TimesFilipino Engelbert Moralde outclassed his Uzbekistan rival, 5-1, to reach the 148-kilogram semifinals of the 19th Asian Youth Boxing Championship being held at the Shahid Shiroudi Complex in Tehran, Iran. Moralde, a product of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) Youth Championship in
Puerto Princesa last year, will be up against the bet from India on Tuesday for a shot at the light flyweight gold medal.
”We came here in the spirit of solidarity. We found out about the tournament late, but we whipped up a team in a hurry. These boys trained barely two weeks but gave it their all. Moralde’s medal whatever it may be is already a bonus. We thank PLDT for backing up an unknown team,” said ABAP Executive Director Ed Picson.
Moralde became the last Filipino standing in the tournament featuring 140 boxers from over 20 countries following the early elimination of 51-kilogram flyweight Daryl Basadre and the second round defeat of flyweight Jenno Cabugngan.
Cabugngan of Tagbilaran, Bohol, wrapped up the first round slightly ahead of his opponent from
Turkmenistan. But he tightened up in the second, losing focus and poise and allowing the Turkmen boxer to take control.
The loss was a damper for Cabugngan, who whipped his first round opponent from Sri Lanka after nearly getting disqualified for having facial pimples, which the tournament doctors initially believed, was a serious skin ailment.
National coach Elmer Pamisa expressed optimism at Moralde’s chances against his Indian foe.
“He can do it,” Pamisa assured his young ward after the victory over Uzbekistan.
Emil C. Noguera
