Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) – All nine competing Filipino boxers in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam are assured of at least a bronze medal as they all advanced to the semifinals of their respective divisions.
Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio dominated Burmese foe Kay Thwe Nyein on Wednesday to advance to the women’s 60kg or lightweight division semifinals.
Petecio’s fellow Tokyo Olympian Irish Magno drew a bye in the women’s 51kg or flyweight category quarterfinals and will face Indonesia’s Novita Sinadia in the semifinals on Friday.
Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial also got a bye in the men’s 75kg or middleweight division quarterfinals and will square off with Thailand’s Peerapat Yeasungnoen in the semifinals on Thursday night.
2016 Rio Olympian Rogen Ladon defeated Malaysia’s Muhammad Abdul Qaiyum Bin Ariffin by unanimous decision in the men’s 52kg or flyweight category quarterfinals.
Ian Clark Bautista prevailed against Singaporean opponent Mohamed Hanurdeen Bin Hamid in the men’s 57kg or featherweight division quarterfinals to battle Cambodia’s Sao Rangsey in the semifinals on Friday.
James Palicte scored a knockout win against Cambodia’s Touch Davit in the men’s 63kg or lightweight category quarterfinals to earn a semifinals berth.
Marjon Piañar also drew a bye in the quarterfinals of the men’s 69kg or welterweight division to also assure himself of a bronze medal.
Riza Pasuit also earned a bye in the women’s 57kg or featherweight category quarterfinals to face hometown bet Vuong Thi Vy in the semifinals on Thursday night.
Josie Gabuco is the last Filipino boxer to earn a semifinals spot as she will slug it out with Thailand’s Chuthamat Raksat in the women’s 48kg or light flyweight division on Thursday night.
The Philippine boxing team sent 10 pugilists to Vietnam, but the women’s 75kg or middleweight division tournament was canceled since there are only two entries, one of which is Filipina boxer Hergie Bacyadan.
