Abap pins hope on Olympic medalists for ‘difficult’ Asian Games bid

Bronze medalist Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio poses during a medals ceremony for the women’s 57 kg final boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The decorated Philippine boxing team will lean on a wealth of experience at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, as it tries to end a 16-year gold medal drought in the continental meet.

“We have seven boxers. It’s going to be a really tough task, and the boxers know that. But I’m very excited for them,” Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines president Marcus Manalo said Tuesday at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum held at the PSC media room.

The seven-member team includes four Olympic medalists: Nesthy Petecio (60 kilograms), Aira Villegas (51 kg), Carlo Paalam (55 kg) and Eumir Marcial (80 kg).

Marcial’s participation, however, will depend on the outcome of his professional fight in Los Angeles that will take place just before the Asian Games.

Riza Pasuit (54 kg), Junmilardo Ogayre (60 kg) and Norlan Petecio (70 kg) complete the Philippine Asiad lineup.

Manalo hopes Marcial, a bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics and the Philippines’ lone boxing medalist with a silver at the Hangzhou Asian Games, will be ready to compete in Nagoya.

“We’re hoping that he will be fit to box and fresh after his pro fight so he can fly straight from Los Angeles to Nagoya,” Manalo said.

Manalo said Weljon Mindoro, another option in the heavier division, was barred from competing in Nagoya after suffering a knockout loss to a Mexican opponent in a professional fight last week.

The presence of four Olympic medalists gives the Philippines a seasoned core, but Manalo said their reputations could also make them bigger targets.

“We have our Olympic medalists, but that could work for or against you because if you’re a competitor, those are the boxers you want to beat,” Manalo said.