BAGUIO CITY – Baguio City and Benguet emerged as top contenders in the boxing events of the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) meet 2025, with Baguio E-Lions bagging four gold medals and the Benguet Stingers securing three gold medals from the final bouts.
Baguio’s gold medalists were Derek F. Fanak-il of the Under 19 (U-19) flyweight division, Francis D. Jarencio from the U-19 minimum division, Charles Cadee D. Lamorena of the U-19 Bantam Weight: category, and Jave G. Domingo of the U-17 Bantam Weight Division.
Meanwhile, Benguet’s gold medalists came from the Under-17 (U-17) categories, namely, Dean Clyver D. Equinio (Fly Weight), Lhie Kharl V. Quitan (Light Bantam), and Marvin L. Gaki (Light Fly).
The winners expressed their happiness and excitement to compete again in the national sports meet. They also said that all of their sacrifices, such as spending less time with friends and family in order to train, were all worth it.
“Pagbubutihin ko po para makakuha ng gold sa national (I will do my best to win gold in the nationals),” said one of the boxers. They also acknowledged their coaches’ efforts and support
that led them to victory.
“Medyo matagal din eh. Nagsimula kami October or November. Iyon yung naging takbo ng training nila (Their training was quite long. We started October or November),” said Kevin
Guzman, one of the coaches of the Baguio boxing athletes.
On the other hand, Benguet boxing coach and trainer Nathan Bolcio said that their trainings only lasted for two weeks.
“As a trainer, sa totoo lang nakukulangan ako kasi syempre na-train ko iyong iba, kaya lang para sa akin, mas magandang lahat sila kung pupwede. Iyong naibigay kasi sa akin na preparation ng mga athletes is two weeks lang kaya talagang bitin (I feel like it’s not enough because I was able to train some of them, but for me, it would be better if everyone could be trained. The preparation time given to me was only two weeks, so it was really short),” he shared.
He added that he is still happy that three of them were able to get gold and for the upcoming
Palarong Pambansa, they will still keep on monitoring the athletes’ sleeping patterns, diet, and
strength and condition despite the lack of materials and training gears.
The athletes are set to represent the Cordillera region in the Palarong Pambansa 2025, which will be held in May in the Ilocos Region. By Blessah Joy Manuel
