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Source: ABS-CBN News

Pinoys in Vegas raise $8,000 for Gorres
-- Fallen boxer ZC Oliveros “the Dream” Gorres declared his all-out support for his fellow Filipinos who will take on Latino foes in Pinoy Power 3 in Las Vegas next month.

“Good luck talaga, good luck sa kanila. Dapat hindi magkumpiyansa at panalangin sa Panginoon,” he told Bev Llorente of ABS-CBN North America News Bureau.

Gorres is currently undergoing rehabilitation in the United States after undergoing 2 major brain surgeries.

He was scheduled to fight for a world title in Pinoy Power 3 before his injury during his 10-round bout against Colombian Luis Melendez last November.

Although he won via unanimous decision, Gorres suffered a left straight punch to the temple in the 10th round which caused a blood clot in his brain.

Despite this, Gorres said that watching the fight ringside is almost as good as being in the ring.

Fellow boxer Mark Jason Melligen, meantime, stated: “Sa ngayon na laban na ‘to ibubuhos ko talaga babawiin ko ang nangyari sa kaniya at yung talo ko.” Melligen will face Raymond Gatica in the undercard, according to Sun.Star Cebu.

Pinoy Power 3, which features Nonito Donaire, Jr., Gerry Peñalosa, Bernabe Concepcion and Ciso Morales, will take place on February 13 at the Las Vegas Hilton. The event will be telecast live on ABS-CBN on February 14.

Donaire will face off with Gerson Guerrero, Peñalosa will fight Eric Morel, Concepcion will battle Mario Santiago, and Morales will challenge Fernando Montiel.

Significant improvement

Meanwhile, Gorres’ attending physician, Dr. Benito Calderon, said his ongoing comprehensive rehabilitation has seen significant improvement with his ambulation. Gorres can now walk with a walker up to 50 feet with assistance.

“Ang target lang natin dito is makalakad muna siya kung maka fully recover siya, I think maganda ang future niya, kahit na he can work as a trainer siguro, pero as a fighter again I don't think he can do that,” noted Calderon.

Gorres and his wife, Datches, are hopeful that the rehabilitation will lead Gorres to a full recovery so that he may live a functional life.

Moreover, they are thankful for the support of the Filipino-American community in Las Vegas.

Fundraiser

Hundreds of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in Las Vegas congregated to help raise funds for Gorres. The local Pinoy community raised more than $8,000.

“Malaki talaga ang pasasalamat ko dahil sa pinakita nila. Talagang ang mga Pilipino nagsusuporta walang iwanan talaga,” said Gorres.

Datches that even though she was a stranger in “Sin City,” her kababayans’ overwhelming support helped her a lot.

“Hindi lang po ako nag-iisa lalo na sa lugar na ito na wala kaming kamag-anak, at least, may mga taong nagbigay ng tulong at suporta sa amin,” she stated.

Local entertainers donated their time and talent for the injured boxer. Some even sang “Habang May Buhay” by After Image.

“Ang nangyari kay Z Gorres ay puwedeng mangyari sa ibang boksingero kaya nandito kami para damayan siya, the Filipino bayanihan spirit,” said one of Gorres’ supporters, Filipino business owner Mimi Lim.