Bernabe Concepcion back after Vegas win

Fresh from his victory at a World Boxing Council match in the United States, teenage Filipino pugilist Bernabe "Abe" Concepcion was greeted by a throng of supporters and government officials upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) early Wednesday morning. GMA's Unang Balita reported that the plane Concepcion was on board touched down at the NAIA Terminal 2 in Pasay City about 6 a.m. The 19-year-old pugilist, who donned matching yellow cap and shirt when he arrived at the airport, was greeted by officials from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Board. Concepcion (23-1, 13 KOs) scored a technical knockout decision over his opponent Sal Garcia in a 10-round undercard boxing match held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas last October 4 (US Pacific time). The main event at the time was the bout between Fernando Montiel and Luis Melendez, the report said. Concepcion also told GMA News that he was supposed to play in an undercard match for Manny Pacquiao's highly-anticipated rematch with Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera on October 7 but Top Rank, which promoted the fight, was unable to squeeze him in the line up. In an interview, Concepcion admitted that Garcia was a formidable opponent. "Sa lahat ng nakalaban ko, parang siya yung pinakamatibay kasi karamihan sa nakalaban ko tumatakbo sila kapag tinamaan na sila nang malakas," he said. "(Pero) yun pong kalaban ko na yun, hindi tumatakbo, tinatanggap niya yung mga suntok ko tapos gumaganti siya pero umabot siya ng nine rounds. Talagang napakatibay po talaga," Concepcion added. He also acknowledged the assistance he received from former Manila mayor and now Environment Sec. Jose "Lito" Atienza and Pacquiao. "Alam niya (Pacquiao) na konti lang yung mga Pilipino na manunuod kasi yung iba nabigla tapos yung iba wala pang tiket. Kaya ginawa ni Kuya Manny bumili siya ng maraming tiket tapos binigyan niya yung mga Pilipino na walang tiket kaya mas marami pa yung crowd ko," he said. Aljo Concepcion, the boxer's manager, said his ward will be staying in the country until November to do some promotions before leaving again for the US in December to start training. "Siguro mga two to three more fights, lalaban na tayo ng world title," Aljo said. Last April 17, Pacquiao's convoy left behind Concepcion at the NAIA. Back then, Pacquiao was scheduled to attend press conferences and hold a motorcade in Manila. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV