Petecio kicks off Team Phl bid

MANILA, Philippines - Nesthy Petecio opens the Philippines’ bid in the Sixth Asian Women’s Boxing Championships as she takes on Taiwanese Hu Yuan Monday at the newly constructed Mongolian National Stadium in Ulan Bator, Mongolia.

Petecio, 19, is confident of her chances, having undergone tremendous buildup in time for her initial stint in the 54 kg category.

Alice Kate Aparri climbs the ring Tuesday with the 2010 World Championship bronze medalist slugging it out with another Taiwanese, Meng-Chieh Pin, in the 51 kg class.

Josie Gabuco anchors the three-fighter Phl team under the banner of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines and backed by telecommunications giant PLDT, as she collides with China’s Yukie Luo in the second round.

Gabuco, who also won a bronze in the 2008 world tilt in China, drew an opening round bye.

Aparri and Gabuco also won gold medals in last year’s SEA Games in Indonesia.

Delegation head and ABAP executive director Ed Picson is optimistic of his wards’ chances in the top level tournament which drew 82 fighters from 17 countries.

“Except for Josie, I think the draw favored us today. Then again, Josie has been outdoing herself lately, so I’m also confident of her chances. Nesthy is in great shape and Alice is her usual deadly form.”

Technical delegate for the competition is Nieva Tesoro-Embuldeniya, a Filipina married to a Sri Lankan. Embuldeniya has supervised countless tournaments the world over. Joining her panel is AIBA International Technical Official Karina Picson, also a member of the Asian Women’s Boxing Commission.

 Accompanying the team are RP head coach Pat Gaspi and women’s coaches Mitchel Martinez and Violito Payla.