Boxing Tokyo hopefuls start ‘Calam-bubble’ grind

MANILA, Philippines — And so it begins.

Tokyo hopeful Nesthy Petecio, 16 other national boxers and coaches enter the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna today to start their much delayed Olympic training.

Petecio, along with fellow Mindanao-based boxers Carlo Paalam, Marvin Tabamo, John Paul Panuayan, Mario Fernandez and Marjon Pianar, will fly in anytime today to join their Manila and Luzon-based teammates including Aira Villegas and former world champion Josie Gabuco in the “Calam-bubble.”

National coaches Elmer Pamisa, Nolito and Roel Velasco, Mitchel Martinez, Pat Gaspi, and Jojen and Rogen Ladon accompany their pugs in the bubble.

Olympic-bound Irish Magno and Australian consultant Don Abnett will check in tomorrow while Ian Clark Bautista, James Palicte, Jere Samuel dela Cruz, Riza Pasuit and coach Reynaldo Galido will plane in on Monday from Bacolod City.

“We wish our athletes who are training in Calamba good luck. The hope of the country is now on your shoulders,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, whose agency has shelled out P15 million to fund the three-month camp.

Meanwhile, karate’s Jamie Lim, Jason Ramil Macaalay, Ivan Agustin, Shrief Afif and Alwayn Batican and coaches Jonel Perania and Norman Montalvo set foot at the Inspire tomorrow.