ONYOK VELASCO UNFIT FOR MAYOR'S CUP SQUAD
Manila, Feb. 14, 1998 - Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco has been stricken off the roster of the three Philippine teams that will see action in the tough Mayor's Cup set for February 24 in Bacolod City.
The coaching staff of the national team has ruled that Velasco is not in his best shape, said Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) secretary general Renato Fortaleza.
The coaching staff composed of Pat Gaspi, Vicente Arsenal and Onyok's older brother Nolito "Boy" Velasco barred the Atlanta Olympics silver medallist from competing in the Mayor's Cup, feeling that Onyok was not in top shape.
Onyok himself decided in December last year to return to boxing after more than a year of inactivity. He joined the rest of the team in training in Baguio, but observers said he may have had too little time to re-adjust to an athlete's rigorous regimen.
Onyok, however, is still being considered for the Chemistry Cup in Germany, the Ustinad Labem in the Czech Republic and the Asian Games in Bangkok in December.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 1998
All rights reserved