Arañas, Quilaton lead cast of winners in Pitalo boxing event

MAIN fighters. Kyhle Sumalinog (Red) of Cebu City engages in an exchange of punches with Jemuel Arañas (Blue) of Carcar City in the Fists of the Best: Pitalo Boxing Invitational spectacle which was part of the nightly activities for the annual fiesta celebration in honor of Señor San Vicente Ferrer, the Patron saint of Barangay Pitalo. (Photo by Rommel C. Manlosa)

 

CEBU City, Philippines – Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) boxing-bound Jemuel Arañas of Carcar City and Jance Jezreel Quilaton of Cebu City displayed their respective ring savvy as they defeated separate opponents in the Fist of the Best: Pitalo Boxing Invitational last Saturday evening in Brgy. Pitalo Basketball Court in San Fernando, Cebu.

 

Arañas bounced from a slow first round to score a unanimous decision win over Khyle Sumalinog of Cebu City in the Youth Bantamweight (54kgs) division contest, while Quilaton showed no mercy as he pulverized the defense of Romeo Sungcad of Mandaue City en route to scoring a Referee Stop Contest – Body Blows victory in opening round of the other Youth Bantamweight clash.

JANCE Jezreel Quilaton (red) of Cebu City sets up his right with a jab against the unsuspecting Romeo Sungcad of Mandaue City in the Youth Boys Bantamweight bout in the Fists of the Best: Pitalo Invitational Boxing card last Saturday. (Contributed Photo)

 

Arañas and Sumalinog were teammates for the Cebu Province Team at the Palarong Pambansa VisMin Cup Invitational Boxing Tournament in July 2022, where they won the gold medal in their respective categories.

 

Sumalinog was on target early with Arañas back-tracking to avoid the punches of the Cebu City fighter. A solid straight to the head earned the Carcar City fighter a mandatory eight count.

 

However, Arañas started to get into his rhythm while Sumalinog slowly lost steam when both fighters engaged in a close-quarter battle.

 

A series of body blows in the final two minutes of the third round totally broke down defense of Sumalinog that led to his loss.

 

The match was the main fight of the card, which was a part of the nightly activities for the annual fiesta celebration of Barangay Pitalo patron saint Señor San Vicente Ferrer. The event was supported by the Pitalo Barangay Council headed by Barangay Captain Miraluna S. Manlosa and the Senor San Vicente Ferrer Chapel Community Association headed by Hon. Carmelo Manlosa who is also a Barangay councilor and San Fernando Municipal Councilor Libby Manlosa and Pitalo Barangay Secretary Rolando Rias.

 

The results of the other bouts include Crisanto Arias of Cebu City scoring a Referee Stopped Contest win over Daniel Sampan of Pitalo also in the Youth Boys Bantamweight class, James Abellanosa of Toledo City winning by unanimous decision over James Carl Baloro of San Fernando via RSC in the second round, Jamir Encalledo won by Abandonment over John Laurence Abella, Nikko Velez of Carcar City also won by Abandonment over Nelson Managaytay of Talisay City in the Jr. Boy Featherweight class.

 

Figure 1CONTROVERSIAL call. Ken Villanueva (red & white jersey) of Cebu City prepares to engage James Blanco (blue jersey) of Mandaue City in their Junior Boys Pin weight bout of the Fists of the Bests: Pitalo Boxing Invitational. (Photo by Rommel C. Manlosa)

 

 

Junnel Managaytay of Talisay scoring a unanimous decision against Joefrey Bragat of Cebu City, James Blanco of Mandaue City escaping with a split decision against Ken Villanueva of Cebu City, Michael Roquero prevailed over Mark Joy Olanda, Jerson Iñon of Mandaue City won by disqualification over Jenard Abellanosa of Toledo City.

 

Xander Aras of Carcar City eked out a thrilling split decision win over John Eronico of Mandaue City and Sandro Ypil of Lapu-Lapu City defeated Anthony Aventurado of Cebu City by unanimous decision. RCM

TOWERING Nikko Velez of Carcar City (red) used his full length to deliver accurate punches that forced Nelson Managaytay of Talisay City to surrender, giving the Carcar City puncher an Abandonment win in the Fists of the Bests: Pitalo Boxing Invitational last Saturday. (Photo by Rommel C. Manlosa)