ZAMBOANGA CITY — Mark Christian Ursabia of University of Mindanao-Davao needed only less than three minutes to stop local bet Renz Pejana of Zamboanga del Sur Provincial College in the final of Philippine Army kickboxing competition of the 2023 ROTC Games Mindanao Leg on Thursday at the Western Mindanao State University gym here.

The 21-year-old second year BS Criminology student Ursabia delivered a strong finishing kick to win the gold medal in just one round of their 60-kilogram category and advance to the national finals tentatively set in October in Manila and Pasig City.

"I am very overwhelmed by this win. I never thought of it this way. This is my first gold, I hope I can maintain my energy in the national finals," the 5-foot 10 Ursabia said.

But not to be outdone, Army student-cadet Angelie Musa of Sibugay Technical Institute likewise prevailed over Patricia Virtudazo of Surigao del Norte State University by technical knockout in the 56-kg category.

The other Army division bouts saw Prince Alfred Remolado winning over Muamar Laduka of Southern Mindanao College via a referee-stopped-contest in the second round of the 57-kg bout.

After the 21-year-old Remolado, a Marine Biology student, hit Laduka in the nose hard, the referee stepped in immediately to stop the oozing of the blood.

Shariff Cammah Alkhamar of Aurelio Mendoza Memorial College survived a scary close 2-1 score over Ernesto Delfin Jr. in the Army's 63.5-kg category.

Grace Shiela Toledo of Surigao del Norte State University main campus likewise scored a close 2-1 victory over Jonabelle Mondejan of Zamboanga del Sur Provincial College in the Army's women's 60-kg bout.

In the Air Force competition, Michael John Etac of Nuevo Zamboanga College scored the only knockout victory after flooring Kent Datumanong of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial College in the first round of their 57-kg bout.

Meanwhile, local favorite Camille Joy Sanchez of Western Mindanao State University escaped with a close 2-1 triumph over Muzaina Mataul of Mindanao State University in the 52-kg class.