As expected, the OIA championships semifinals at 170 pounds were razor close Saturday at Leilehua gym.
Kachi Respcio of Campbell held off Gianni Oyadomari of Kapolei 6-5, and Keanu Punley of Leilehua rallied back late to defeat Sitaleki Tongi of Kahuku 5-4.
Respcio and Punley will meet in the final later Saturday.
At the Officials tournament in December, Respicio won the 182-pound class, and Punley beat Tongi 5-2 for the 170-pound title.
Then at the OIA West meet last week, Pearl City’s Kasey Kikuyama rose above everyone to win at 170. That’s when he beat Punley in the final 3-0 after dispatching Repsicio in the semifinals.
However, Kikuyama was bounced from OIA championship contention on Friday in a 3-1 loss to Respicio.
COMMENTS