PANABO CITY?The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (Abap) has started to cast the net on the country?s educational system.

Abap president Ricky Vargas said NCAA South and Prisaa officials recently agreed to include boxing in their calendar to promote the sport among school-based athletes and discover more talents for the national team.

Vargas said the commitment of both organizations to incorporate boxing in the itinerary beginning next year could open the door for the UAAP and the NCAA, the top two collegiate leagues, to follow suit.

?We are now invading the educational system,? Vargas told the Inquirer after the just-concluded Smart Abap Mindanao Amateur Boxing Tournament here, participated by approximately 200 young boxers from the entire region tried their luck.

The tournament served as the qualifying for the Abap national finals tentatively scheduled at the end of the year.

According to Abap executive director Ed Picson, a total of 32 boxers from different weight categories advanced to the finals where slots to the Abap national training pool are at stake.

Pinweight Mark Anthony Barriga, who hails from this city and a mainstay of the Davao Del Norte boxing stable, emerged as the best boxer of the tournament.

Vargas said Abap has had exploratory talks with NCAA officials and initial discussions with the UAAP could materialize soon with insinuations of putting boxing in the calendar as a demonstration sport.
?We?ve already talked to them (NCAA officials). No commitment but there?s a possibility that boxing might be included as a demonstration sport,? added Vargas.

The next Abap regional qualifying leg is scheduled in Northern-Central Luzon in August while the National Capital Region will host another qualifier for Metro Manila boxers in September, according to NCR deputy executive director Gilbert Artificio.

?We really need more competition. It?s the best way to identify talents,?? said Vargas.

Besides the Mindanao leg, Abap had organized the Visayas qualifying held in Ormoc City, Leyte two months ago where 20 boxers made it to the national finals. Gold medalists on every leg automatically advance to the national championships.

NCAA South has San Beda College-Alabang, Olivarez College and Don Bosco Technical College as members along with eight other schools in Southern Luzon, including La Salle-Lipa, Letran-Calamba and San Sebastian-Cavite City.