MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxers and their coaches have reason to celebrate following their masterful showing in the just-concluded Singapore SEA Games.
But Ed Picson, executive director of the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines, yesterday said there?s no reason to slow down.
?It?s business as usual,? said Picson.
There are two major international competitions lined up for the Philippine boxing team ? the Asian Confederation Boxing Championships for women and men.
The women?s event is set Aug. 6 to 14 in Wulanchabu, China while the men?s event will take place Aug. 26 to Sept. 5 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Picson said the challenge continues for the Pinoy boxers, who emerged as the most dominant squad in the recent SEA Games.
All 10 boxers fielded by ABAP, headed by Ricky Vargas, went home with medals hanging from their necks ? five gold, three silver and two bronze.
For ABAP, it?s a ?Perfect 10.?
It was the best finish for the Philippines since a 5-1-3 haul in the 2009 SEA Games in Laos and an explosive 8-4-2 finish in the 2005 SEA Games in Manila.
Picson is hoping that the success in the recent SEA Games would spill over to the Asian Championships, where the stakes are higher.
The ABAP official hailed Pinoy coaches led by Pat Gaspi, Boy Velasco, Roel Velasco, Ronald Chavez and including Liverpool?s Kevin Smith for a job well done.
And while he lauded the officiating in Singapore, Picson said it?s not the main reason why the Pinoys emerged victorious.
?It?s self-serving to say that officiating was good just because we were victorious. There were a lot of factors involved,? said Picson.
The new approach to the sport, brought about by the new 10-point scoring system, made the Filipinos adjust.
?Binago na natin ang style. Lusob na ang style natin ngayon (We changed our style. We take charge),? said Picson.
?That?s the biggest difference. In the past, when the technical style of a Gerry Pe?alosa would work, this time it?s the aggressiveness of a Manny Pacquiao that clicks,? he said.
?Aggressive ka dapat. That?s what the judges are looking for now. Even when you?re stepping backwards, you should be throwing punches,? Picson added.
No wonder Pinoy boxers Mario Fernandez (56 kg) and Eumir Felix Marcial (69 kg) provided the most thrilling knockout wins inside the ring.
Four male boxers, including Ian Clark Bautista (52 kg) and Junel Cantancio (60 kg), and female slugger Josie Gabuco (48 kg), brought home the gold medals.
For Fernandez, it was his second straight SEA Games gold, and for Gabuco, it was her fourth, making her one of the great female boxers, if not the best, in SEA Games history.
Winning the silver were female boxers Irish Magno (51 kg) and Nesthy Petecio (54 kg), and Roger Ladon (49 kg), while settling for the bronze were Riza Pasuit (57 kg) and Wilfredo Lopez (75 kg).
All five gold medals won by the Philippines were scored against boxers from Thailand, the favorite, Vietnam and Singapore, the host.
?If you noticed, our boxers were more aggressive now than in the past. We scored knockout wins over boxers from Singapore and Thailand,? said Picson.
For their feat, the boxers will be amply rewarded, as ABAP has prepared a special bonus of P300,000 for each gold, P200,000 for each silver and P100,000 for each bronze.
It?s much bigger than what the government offers for SEA Games medalists.
?They can celebrate. Then it?s back to work,? said Picson.
