Pinoys win big in undercard

Quezon City— Jason “El Nino” Pagara has been waiting for a shot at a world title to come. The way he performed last night, Pagara may not be waiting for too long.

Pagara retained his WBO international lightwelterweight title after dominating Vladimir Baez for a unanimous victory in the main undercard of the Pinoy Pride 23: Filipinos Kontra Latinos last night at the Araneta Coliseum here.

The three judges had it 98-91, 98-90, 99-90 all for Pagara, who improved to (32W-19KOs-2L).

A sharp Pagara had the fair-sized crowd on the edge of their seats with solid combinations that staggered Baez of Dominican Republic. The visiting fighter, however, showed tremendous grit and absorbed the big blows.

Smelling blood, Pagara continued the onslaught until he dropped Baez with a left hook in the ninth round.

Much to the chagrin of the crowd, Baez beat the referee’s count. The visiting fighter even continued to engage Pagara in a toe-to-toe battle but the latter didn’t fade to ice the win.

It was Pagara’s his fourth straight triumph since losing to Rosbel Montoya of Mexico last Sept. 10 2011 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

BANAL, JACA WIN

Meanwhile, AJ “Bazooka” Banal’s bid of reclaiming lost glory got a needed boost after he scored a unanimous decision win over Puerto Rico’s Lucian Gonzalez. Scores were 100-90, 98-92, 98-92.

It was Banal’s second straight victory since losing a world title fight against Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand last Oct. 10, 2012 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Banal went on a hiatus after that painful loss then marked his return with with a second round stoppage of Mexican Abraham Gomez last July 13 at the Solaire Resort and Hotel Casino in Parañaque City.

Banal now has 30 wins with 21 knockouts, two defeats and a draw.

Sustaining his string of victories was Jimrex “The Executioner” Jaca who stopped Indonesian Wellem Reyk in the 2:24 mark of the first round with a solid left straight.

Jaca (39W-22KOs-6L-3D) now has won his last 11 fights as he had not tasted a loss since bowing to Saddam Kietyougyouth in Thailand last October  22, 2010.

Jaca was supposed to fight Australian Chad Bennett last October in Australia. The card was cancelled when Shane Mosley backed out from his main event showdown with Anthony Mundine.

MELINDO SHINES

Milan “El Metodico” Melindo likewise defended a regional title with a bruising unanimous decision win over Jose Alfredo “Torito” Rodriguez of Mexico.

Milendo, who kept his WBO international flyweight title, somehow erased the pain of his first career loss he suffered at the hands of Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico that prevented him from snaring the WBO and WBA flyweight titles last July in Macau..

Melindo improved to 30W-12KOs-1L.