PALEMBANG – Dennis Galvan outpointed Malaysian Khir Akyazlan in a closely-fought bout and advanced to the gold medal round, while Southeast Asian Games gold medalist flyweight Rey Saludar scored an easy win to reach the semifinals of boxing last night at the Basketball Hall in downtown Palembang.
Galvan and his Malaysian rival fought to a 5-5 deadlock in the first round, but the Filipino light welterweight, a last-minute replacement for the injured Orlando Tacuyan, gained ground in the second round for an 8-6 lead he used to pull off a 12-11 victory.
With the win, Galvan became the second Filipino finalist after Nesthy Petecio, who drew a bye in the three-woman bantamweight class.
Saludar punished Changasone Xavy of Laos with all the power he got in his arsenal and scored a crushing 14-6 victory to advance to the semis. Saludar initially caught the Laotian with a stinging left hook and took every opportunity to score 1-2 combinations as the game Laotian always threw his arms down and opened himself to attack from the Filipino.
Saludar joined three other Filipino semifinalists – lightweight Charly Suarez, who clobbered Cambodian Phal Sophat, 20-5, in the quarterfinal Wednesday, Alice Kate Aparri (lightflyweight) and Josie Gabuco (pinweight), who drew a bye in the semis.
Out of contention are flyweight Analisa Cruz, bantamweight Junel Cantancio, welterweight Delfin Boholst and lightflyweight Mark Anthony Barriga.