Touted Philippine boxing team arrives in Jakarta for Asiad bid

JAKARTA – The Philippine boxing team, a traditional medal source for the country in any sports meet, has joined the other Philippine bets in the Athletes Village here, with each boxer geared up to contend in the 18th Asian Games slugfest that gets underway Friday at JIExpo Hall here.

The draw, which plays a crucial part in pursuit of boxing top honors, is set Thursday.

“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 Philippine pugs to the Asiad boxing competition participated in by 31 countries.

Team Philippines 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 Pinoy pugs arrived here Tuesday 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, the Philippine boxing team aches for golden moment 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 Southeast Asian Games. And the Filipino middleweight hopes to extend his reign to the Asian level.