While Ladon of the Philippine Navy labored for four rounds to dispose of his fellow Bagoeño and reach the semifinals, Tipon hardly broke a sweat in forcing Cebu's Jerry Pajal to yield 35 seconds into their quarterfinal bout.

Four Ipon haymakers in quick succession staggered Pajal, before the latter called it quits.

Ladon was to take on Jherigs Chavez for a place in the finals Friday night, while Tipon forged a clash with Jose Rey Olisa.

This early, though, Tipon--a gold medalist in the 2006 Doha Asia Games but missed out on a slot in the Beijing Olympics--is looking ahead to a finals showdown with Ladon, whom he considers a good friend.

"I will forget that we are friends when we go inside the ring," said Tipon in Filipino.

Ladon's Navy teammate Lhyven Salazar overcame a huge disadvantage as he pummeled national pool member Jay-Ar Quiam in a high-scoring bantam quarterfinal bout.

The 29-year-old Salazar, standing 5-foot-4, said his experience proved to be the difference in his 53-42 win over the 5-10 Quiam of the Philippine Air Force.

Meanwhile, Albert Pabila stayed on course for a second straight light flyweight gold medal by toppling Baguio's Marvin Somodio, 19-11, in the semifinals. Pabila set up a title clash with Davao Del Norte's Froilan Saludar who stopped Jayson Pragata of Batangas via an RSC-Outclassed decision.

In the youth division, Davao del Norte shored up its bid for a fifth straight overall title by sending three pugs to the finals. Palarong Pambansa champions Mark Anthony Barriga and Jerwin Ancajas made the mosquitoweight finals and the cadet flyweight class, respectively while Michael Bahena clinched a finals slot in the kids' cottonweight category.