Former ABAP Secretary-General Marcus Jarwin Manalo has been elected President of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines Wednesday, in lieu of ex-Antipolo Congressman Robbie Puno, who will serve as the federation’s Chairman.
In the meantime, former ABAP Chief Ricky Vargas, Chef de Mission of Team Philippines to the 2028 LA Olympics and who recently was named President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas while sitting as Chairman of the Philippine Basketball Association, takes a few steps back to assume the mantle of statesmanship as ABAP Honorary Chairman.
Acquiring key positions among the Board of Trustees during the Annual Meeting and Elections held at the Charles Swift Board Room at the Meralco bldg. in Ortigas are former Northern Samar Congressman Raul Daza, Vice Chairman; and current Philippine Aquatics President Michael Angelo Vargas, Vice President.
Completing the ABAP board are: Meralco SVP and former BCDA 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, PBA Vice Chairman and team Governor of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
“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!”
Chairman Puno echoed the sentiment.
“It is a distinct honor to be working with this group of talented and dedicated individuals committed to excellence in boxing. I look forward to the continued development of our young boxers and to finally achieving our goal of an Olympic gold!” he said.
Manalo, 39, succeeds Puno, who took over the helm in 2023 with the passing of former ABAP president Ed Picson. The late sportscaster had been handpicked by Vargas to take his place two years earlier.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust the Board has given me,” President 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.
“One of our top priorities is to strengthen the grassroots program to discover and develop more young talents, ensure that boxing becomes more accessible throughout the country, and enhance coaching and officiating in the different regions. Additionally, we aim to give more opportunities for boxers to compete internationally and raise our nation’s profile at high levels of competition.”
Born in Bauan, Batangas, 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 UP Diliman (2007-2008). He also has a BS Psychology degree at UP Diliman (2003-2007).
He entered ABAP as a mental performance coach in 2013, a few months after he finished his master’s degree. He was appointed Secretary-General and Executive Director in December 2021 after the successful stint of the boxing team at the Tokyo Olympics where he served as team leader.
While working with ABAP, he was also an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Department of Sports Science teaching sport psychology and motor learning from 2013 to 2024.
He also serves as mental performance consultant for professional and collegiate teams in volleyball and basketball.
