Pinoy boxers seek more London slots

The national team under the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) and sponsored by PLDT has embarked on its last ditch preparations for tough Olympic qualifiers ahead.

Both the men's and women's teams are now in feverish training and sparring with their Thai counterparts in the spanking new National Sports Training Center located in Muaklek, about 150kilometer north of Bangkok.

ABAP executive director Ed Picson describes the Center as a " sprawling facility far from the distractions and pollution of the city.”

Added Picson: "It is conducive to focused training. The boxing facilities are more than adequate. There is a track for road runs and another for sprints. The weights room is state of the art and the accommodations, although basic, are clean, spacious and comfortable. The food is also nutritious.”

To date, only one Filipino boxer has made it to the London roster – light flyweight Mark Anthony Barriga who qualified in the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan late last year. ABAP hopes to get more boxers to London via the Asian qualifiers for men and women.

The last opportunity for the men will be held April 4-13 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The men will go directly from Thailand to Astana on March 24 for acclimatization and also training with the Kazakhstan national team. The temperature there is said to be hovering at around 15 degrees below zero.

Picson says those performing well are World Series of Boxing sensation Charly Suarez, Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar and 2011 SEA Games gold medalist Dennis Galvan.

"But there are seven more boxers here and you never know who else will step up,” said Picson.

The women are bannered by veterans Josie Gabuco, Alice Kate Aparri and Nesthy Petecio.

The women will head for colder climes as they depart for Ulanbataar, Mongolia for the Asian Women's Championships. Although this is not yet their Olympic qualifier, it will determine who among the Filipinas will compete in the Asian Women's qualifiers this May in Qinhuangdao, China.

ABAP president Ricky Vargas, who is also Maynilad Water head, says "we are going all out in our attempts to get more boxers to London. We thank our chairman Mr. Manny Pangilinan and PLDT for making all these opportunities available to our national boxers."