Philippine Army boxers continued to dominate the 2023 ROTC Games National Championships on Tuesday, Oct. 24, after seven fighters advanced to the semifinals of their respective weight classes at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
Vince Lomboy led the charge with a referee-stopped-contest (RSC) victory over Air Force’s James Kert Valdez in the second round to inch closer to the gold medal in the flyweight 48-51kg division.
“Pangarap ko po talagang makasama sa national team para magkaroon ako ng opportunity na ma-represent ang bansa sa mga international tournaments,” said the 24-year-old Lomboy, a third year Education student at Tarlac State University.
Also earning berths in the flyweight class was teammate Joeler Efondo, who won by points, 5-0, over Navy’s Roland Medez.
Fellow Army bets Justin Laurezo and Jade Cabaya, likewise, advanced after winning by default over Navy’s Neil Quinton and Air Force’s Christian Dave Perez, respectively.
Meanwhile, another Army standout in Florence Sumpay also flexed his might with an RSC triumphing over Navy’s Archie John Hernandez in the second round for a Final Four seat in the featherweight 57kg division.
Teammate Renz Puyong also made his gold-medal bid felt in the said weight class with a 5-0 win over Air Force’s Ric Baron, while Rodrigo Lumogda won by default over fellow Army Bryl Bayogos.
Only Air Force’s Joerge Lamigo Jr. stole the spotlight after an RSC win in the second round over Navy’s Edcel Vilar.
In volleyball, the University of Negros Occidental Recoletos whipped Tarlac State University, 25-20, 25-8, 25-20, at the Technological University of the Philippines gym.
Adamson University also disposed of Jose Rizal Memorial State University, 25-16, 25-13, 25-23, while Rizal Technological University bounced back from a third-set hiccup to prevail over Guimaras State University, 25-14, 25-20, 16-25, 25-17.
(AI/MNM)