The Name of the Game

Chapter 2: The Tournament

Jason has been showing excellent performance in his boxing training. What startled his trainer the most is his practice of switching stances without losing considerable speed and power. Now, Jason will be joining his first amateur boxing tournament. With barely a month left before the tournament, he trained even more vigorously.

Until a week was left before the big day. Jason, Arturo, and the entire team boarded a bus from Naga to Tabaco, Albay, where they would board a ship to Cebu City for the tournament.

When the team reached Cebu, they stayed at the quarters prepared by the organizers of the event. In the quarters, there was space where they could conduct training. So Jason continued training for the tournament, together with Arturo and other members of the team.

Then the day came before the first match for the tournament. But on the day before, fighters would have a weigh-in. And so, Jason weighed in at 59.4 kilograms - within the limit for the lightweight division. His opponent, Fernando, weighed in at 59.7 kilograms. Both were just within the limit for the weight division.

June 24, 1994. This was the first day of the tournament. The ring announcer was enthusiastic, and so, he engaged the audience into action. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the first match for this year's Philippine Boxing Cup. And so, for the thousands in attendance, it's time for action!" the announcer started.

"Fighting out of the red corner, officially weighing in at 59.7 kilograms, and previously fighting in the qualifying round of the 1993 Philippine Boxing Cup. Let's give a hand to the fighter from Dumaguete City, Fernando Valencia."

"And fighting out of the blue corner, on the opposite side of the ring, officially weighing in at 59.3 kilograms, and making his debut in the tournament tonight. The fighter from Santa Maria, Bulacan, Jason Alvarez."

"And stationed at the ringside, the four judges to score the bout, Mariano David, Feliciano Reyes, Antonio Lozada, and Juan Rodriguez. And inside the ring, referee in action, Carlos Burgos."

In time, the bout started. The match would last four rounds, each round lasting for two minutes.

The first round went through with both fighters eager to box. It was relatively even. Both fighters landed almost the same number of punches. Then came the second round. Fernando dominated the round, landing more punches than Jason. However, Jason was able to land counterpunches, so the referee did not stop the fight.

Then came the third round. Jason landed more punches than Fernando, easily dominating the round. This went on through the fourth round.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the bout. After a few moments, the ring announcer had the floor once again.

"Ladies and gentlemen, after four rounds of boxing, we go to the scorecards. All four judges scored the bout 3-1 in favor of the winner. And now, to advance to the next round of the tournament, recording his first amateur win. The fighter of Bulacan, Jason Alvarez."

After the announcement, Arturo and other members of the team hugged Jason. Also, Fernando also went close, hugged Jason, and shook hands with Arturo, Jason's trainer.

But Jason knew that this was just the beginning. However, he had a few days to rest before his next bout. So, in the meantime, Jason's team celebrated his victory.