By Rey Danseco

VETERAN fighter Benjie Sorolla captured another title, the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific minimumweight title when he earned a unanimous decision win over Thailand’s Saengpetch Sor Sakulphan in a rematch Saturday night in San Andres, Manila.

Sorolla, the top ranked contender from Paranaque’s Marty Elorde Stable, defeated the game second seeded Sakulphan in their competitive 12-round championship before a jubilating predominantly Filipino crowd at the San Andres Civic and Sports Center.

The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) employee Tony Comia who served as judge saw it 115-113, matchmaker Rudy Perez had it 115-114 while mediaman Edwin Sese scored the bout 117-111 all in favor of Sorolla, who becomes the third Filipino champion in WBO Asia pacific next to sensational undefeated bantamweight Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and flyweight Rexon Flores.

Sorolla, a 24-year old native of Negros Occidental province, also defeated the three years his senior Sakulphan by more impressive second round knockout in Uthai Thani, Thailand on Sept. 1 last year before he captured the lowly regarded WBF International minimumweight title 24 days after with vicious 7th round knockout of compatriot Rodel Orais at Elorde Sports Center in Paranaque City.

Sorolla’s victory may led him to duplicate his feat on the same period last year when he was chosen as GAB Boxer of the Month for October 2004, an accolade that has a reward of one-year insurance coverage courtesy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as well as gift items from sponsoring companies.

Sorolla, now ranked WBC No. 32, improved to 22-10-3 win-loss draw record with 4 knockouts.

The WBC Asian Boxing Council (ABCO) No. 2 ranked Sakulphan, who became the second straight Thai victim of Sorolla since the Filipino stopped Poonsawat Nimitchai (10-4 with 3 KOs) in the second round in his previous fight last July 17 in Project 6, Quezon City, dropped to 14-3 with 10 KOs.

On the undercard, Ryan Bito (6-3, 1 KO) earned another majority decision win over 10 rounds against Jerry Duaso (6-4-1, 2 KOs)  in the rematch of their first match set at 8 rounds last May 1 in Bahay Toro, Quezon City.

In a battle of former RP bantam champs, Johnny Lear prevailed in a unanimous decision over Joel Bauya over six rounds at 122 pounds.