Manalo elected ABAP big boss

Marcus Manalo, who worked his way up the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) hierarchy, will now run the affairs of the boxing body following his election as president on Wednesday.

Former Antipolo congressman Robbie Puno, who formerly held the lofty post, will serve as the federation’s chairman.

Before being elected, Manalo was the ABAP’s secretary general although he had been with the association since 2013 as the national team’s sports psychologist while also assuming the post of executive director later on.

The Batangas-born Manalo has an MS in Exercise and Sport Sciences (with concentration in Sport Psychology) at Texas Tech University (2010-2012), and a diploma in Exercise and Sport Sciences at University of the Philippines-Diliman (2007-2008). He also has a BS Psychology degree at UP-Diliman (2003-2007).

When Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio brought home silvers and Eumir Marcial a bronze from the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, Manalo was neck-deep in his involvement with the ABAP under former presidents Ricky Vargas and Ed Picson, who passed away a couple of years ago.

Vargas, the chief of mission to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, is still with ABAP but as honorary chairman.

Also acquiring pivotal positions in the board of directors are former Northern Samar Congressman Raul Daza (vice chairman and Philippine Aquatics president Michael Angelo Vargas (vice president).

Completing the ABAP board are Meralco Senior vice president and former Bases Conversion Development Authority president Atty. Arnel Casanova, VCC-MAK Ventures Inc. president Mark Burgos, former DepEd Assistant Secretary Atty. Emilio Jose Abelita Jr., former Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno, former Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr., two-time Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio, and San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua, also the Philippine Basketball Association vice chairman and team governor of Barangay Ginebra.

“Congratulations to the newly elected board of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines!” said Honorary Chairman Vargas.

“This diverse group of experienced leaders and new voices shares a clear vision: building a sustainable national pool of boxing talent through robust grassroots programs.

“Under the leadership of chairman Puno and president-elect Marcus Manalo, supported by broader regional representation and a dedicated board of trustees, the future of ABAP looks bright and full of promise. As I step aside to take on a different role, I want to express my deepest gratitude to ABAP for the privilege of serving. It has been an honor to be a part of this journey, and I remain fully supportive of the association’s continued growth and success. Sumbag Pinoy!”

This year, the ABAP’s main mission is to strike gold in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya after going blank in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, with Marcial settling for silver.

“I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust the board has given me,” Manalo said.

“The Philippines has a proud and storied boxing tradition so the pressure to deliver is always high. But with our passionate and dedicated board of trustees and regional representatives, I am confident that we can further improve our programs.”