Armymen dominate ROTC Games boxing event

Size doesn’t matter for Renz Louie Puyong.

Fighting an opponent bigger than his 5-foot-4 frame, Puyong used speed and power to subdue Luzon leg champion Ric Baron via decision and moved to the semifinals of the boxing competition in the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Games National Finals on Tuesday at the Dacudao gymnasium inside the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Center (RMSC) in Malate, Manila.

The pride of University of Antique, playing under the banner of Philippine Army, the Visayas leg gold medalist immediately hit his 5-foot-7 rival with a series of body blows, then smartly went inside, and continued pummeling Baron in the body weakening the spirits of his rival from Cavite.

At the start of the third round, it’s all Puyong show in their featherweight (57kgs) match.

“Mas mataas siya, saka mahaba yung reach kaya nang tamaan niya ako ng straight punch sa simula, agad akong nag-adjust. Pasok sa loob tapos tinantya ko yung body at nakita ko medyo mahina ang bodega, kaya doon ako nag-concentrate,” said the 19-year-old Puyong, a second year student taking up Bachelor of Hospitality Management.

“Sa semifinals mas pag-iigihan ko dahil naipangako ko na rin sa pamilya ko na gold ang iuuwi ko,” he added.

A possible all-Army duel for the gold medal in 57 kgs. ensued following the victory of Puyong’s teammate Rodrigo Lumogdo via walk over against Bryl Bayogis and Florence Sumpay who won by points against Navyman Arche John Hernandez.  

Air Force bet Joerge Lamigo, Jr. was the only fighter outside the Army in the Final Four after beating Navyman Edcel Vilar via Referee-Stop-Contest (RSC) in the second round.

“Hopefully nga po parehong Philippine Army sa Finals para sure na sure na sa amin ang gold medal,” said Puyong.

Senator Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino, the brainchild of the program for student cadet, and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann have joined the crowd in witnessing the culmination of the Games which start last August with the Visayas leg (Iloilo City), followed by Mindanao (Zamboanga City), Luzon leg (Indang, Cavite) and NCR (Manila). 

Army also dominated the flyweight class (48-51 kgs.) as Arymen Joeler Efondo, Justin Laurenzo, Vince Argie Lomboy and Jade Cabaya won their respective quarterfinal bouts and advanced to the semifinal round.

Efondo won via points against Rolando Medez of Navy, Laurenzo beat Neil Quinton of Navy (walk over), Lomboy dropped a right cross to knockout James Kert Valdez of Air Force, and Cabaya advanced via walkover against Christian Dave Perez of Air Force.

Action in kickboxing eliminations (Dacudao gym), arnis (Ninoy Aquino Stadium) and volleyball (Rizal Technological University gym) are still ongoing as of presstime as well as the Finals in men’s and women’s 100m run and men’s and women’s 4x400m at the Philsports track oval in Pasig City.