ALL nine Filipino boxers who were registered in the boxing competitions in the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) being held in Bac Ninh province in Vietnam are in the semifinal round of the competitions.
They are all assured of at least a bronze medal and if they succeed in their matches on Thursday and Friday, will advance to the gold medal round on Sunday.
The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) fielded 10 boxers but there were only two entries in the women’s middleweight class (75 kg), so the competition in that category was canceled.
Filipina Hergie Bacyadan, who recently won gold in the Thailand Open, will not be able to suit up.
Appeals by ABAP president Ed Picson and secretary-general Marcus Manalo went unheeded as the Technical Delegate from Jordan stood pat on his decision not to allow matches in the said division.
The same situation occurred in the women’s welterweight class (69 kg) where only the host nation and Thailand had entries. The Thais also tried to appeal the decision to no avail.
In the penultimate round, Thursday are Josie Gabuco (vs. THA), Rogen Ladon (vs. THA), James Palicte (vs. Indonesia), Eumir Felix Marcial (vs. THA) and Riza Pasuit (vs VIE).
Four other Filipinos see action on Friday in their own semifinal round matches. They are Nesthy Petecio (vs. VIE), Ian Clark Bautista (vs. CAM), Marjon Pianar (vs. INA), and Irish Magno (vs. INA). Aside from Messrs. Picson and Manalo, also in the team are head coach Don Abnett, men’s head coach Ronald Chavez with Gerson Nietes, and women’s coach Mitchel Martinez.