QIAN’AN CITY, Hebei Province, China—The least known of the six-man Philippine team to the Asian-Oceanian Olympic Qualifying Event, Roldan Boncales Jr., bore the responsibility of leading the country’s campaign here on the second day of competitions Saturday.
Looking a bit overwhelmed at the task, the 23-year-old flyweight from General Santos City, had to rely on his combinations to fend off a spirited challenge from Vietnam national champion Tran Von Thao, 24.
Boncales got the nod of all three judges from Kazakhstan, Lithuania and Belarus who turned in identical 30-27 cards.
Boncales’ last fight was at the Indonesian President’s Cup April last year where he got hit hard in the face by a head butt. Upon returning to the Philippines, he underwent surgery at the Makati Medical Center for a hairline fracture that laid him off for about three months.
A few months ago, however, he came back with a vengeance, impressing the ABAP national coaches who allowed him to challenge for the 52 kg. spot against SEA Games and Sri Lanka Lion’s Cup gold medalist Ian Clark Bautista.
“It was a very difficult decision for the coaches and management but we decided to give Boncales the slot because of his fiery performances in our Baguio box-offs and in the US training camp. Bautista, however, will get a crack in the next Olympic qualifier in June so long as he stays in shape”, said ABAP executive director Ed Picson.
Coach Nolito “Boy” Velasco said he had to scream at Boncales and douse him with water because he looked dazed after the first round.
“Parang natulala at sumusuntok na lang by instinct. Kaya sinabuyan ko ng tubig at sinabi ko mag-focus at huwag intindihin ang crowd. Natauhan naman at lumaban ng laban niya” (He seemed dazed and was punching by instinct alone. So I doused him with water and told him to focus and not mind the crowd. He was then able to shake it off and fought his fight),” Velasco said.
Boncales vowed to be more focused in his next fight on Monday against No. 4 seed Olzhas Sattibayev of Kazakhstan.
On Sunday, female boxer Nesthy Petecio, was to meet Jennifer Chieng of Micronesia, who actually fights in the US. She is reported to be half-Filipina.
Charly Suarez, seeded number 2 in the lightweight class, debuts on the same day against Chinese Taipei’s Lai Chu En, who upset Turkmenistan’s Imankuliyev in a split decision Saturday.
