Touted Phl boxing team raring to go

JAKARTA – The Philippine boxing team, a traditional medal source for the country in any sports meet, has joined the other Phl bets in the Athletes Village here, with each boxer eager and itching to strut his stuff in the 18th Asian Games slugfest that gets under way Friday at JIExpo Hall here.

The draw, which plays a crucial part in pursuit of boxing top honors, will be held tomorrow.

“Everyone we sent here is prepared for battle. They are all in condition. They’re all given ample training and international exposures. It will now boil down on how they conduct themselves atop the ring during the fight,” said boxing executive director Ed Picson.

“But we’re really optimistic all of them are capable of winning a medal,” added Picson of the six male and two female Phl pugs to the Asiad boxing competition participated in by 31 countries.

Team Phl competes in eight of 10 categories, bringing in Rogen Ladon (52 kgs), Eumir Felix Marcial (75 kgs) and Mario Fernandez (56 kgs) along with Carlo Paalam (49 kgs), James Palicte (60 kgs), Joel Bacho (69 kgs), Irish Magno (51 kgs) and Nesthy Petecio (57 kgs).

The Phl pugs arrived here yesterday with coaches Ronald Chavez, Nolito Velasco, Elmer Pamisa, psychologist Marcus Manalo and team manager Carina Picson.

After settling for one silver and three bronze medals in Incheon in 2014, Phl boxing team aches for golden moments here, with Petecio looking to be the best bet with her four gold-medal feats in international meets in India, Russia, Poland and Indonesia early this year.

Meanwhile, Fernandez is back for another Asiad stint and he’s looking to improve on his bronze-medal feat in 2014.

Marcial beat touted Thai rival Pathomsak Kuttiya for the gold medal in last year’s SEA Games. And the Filipino middleweight hopes to extend his reign to the Asian level.