Five Filipino boxers qualify for SEAG finals in men's division
Seven Filipino boxers will get their shot at Southeast Asian Games gold as the Philippines dominated the proceedings Friday afternoon. Five of six fighters emerged victorious, all via decision
Mark Anthony Barriga, the former Olympian, was the first male Filipino fighter to earn a trip to the gold-medal match as he notched a split decision win over Mohd Faud Mohd Reuvan of Malaysia. Barriga bounced back nicely from his tight opening round win. The former Olympian was given 30-27 scores by two judges while the third had the Malaysian winning 28-27.
Mark Barriga wins split dec vs. Malaysia. We thought he won it convincingly, but a win is a win!
— Ed Picson (@Edcaster) December 13, 2013
Filipino fans had high hopes for Rey Saludar, a fighter from the popular boxing family in the Philippines and a veteran in the amateur boxing scene. However, he dropped a decision loss Mg Nge of Myanmar in the flyweight division. ABAP Executive Director Ed Picson later expressed his doubt about the result, opining that Saludar dominated the fight.
I don't know how, but Rey Saludar lost a decision to Myanmar. Or maybe i know. The scoreboard also went blank.
— Ed Picson (@Edcaster) December 13, 2013
Bantamweight fighter Mario Fernandez then bounced back for the Philippines as he defeated Tran Quocc Viet of Vietnam by unanimous decision.
Mario fernandez dominates Viet for another Filipino finalist in tomorrow's boxing competitions. Unanimous dec. #SEAGames
— Ed Picson (@Edcaster) December 13, 2013
Lightweight Junel Cantancio made it two wins in a row for the Philippines as he defeated Muhamad Ridhwan Ahmad of Singapore via unanimous decision.
Junel Cantancio wins by unanimous decision vs. Singapore. We have 5 in d finals tmrw. 2 more bouts coming today. #SEAGames
— Ed Picson (@Edcaster) December 13, 2013
Light welterweight Dennis Galvan kept the ball rolling as he notched a split decision win over Erick Amonopunyo of Indonesia to join the other Filipino boxers in the finals.
Dennis Galvan with a split dec over Indonesian. That makes 6 in d Finals tmrw. Willy Lopez vs another Indon in a while. #seagames
— Ed Picson (@Edcaster) December 13, 2013
Middleweight Wilfredo Lopez closed out the day by scoring a split decision victory over his Indonesian foe to cap the tremendous night for the Filipino boxers, which saw five of six advance to the gold-medal matches. The male boxers join Josie Gabuco and Nesthy Petecio in the boxing finals.
Willy Lopez wins split decision over Indon. We have 7 boxers in Finals tmrw! #SEAGames
— Ed Picson (@Edcaster) December 13, 2013
