By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—The Philippine boxing team has more reasons why it needs to perform extraordinarily in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games when hostilities fire off Saturday, May 6, at the Chroy Changvar Convention Center here.
Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio said the squad would dedicate all their efforts to th late Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) President Ed Picson, who passed away last month due to lingering illness.
“Alam ko kahit hindi man sinasabi ng mga teammates ko, alam kong inaalay namin lahat ng ito para kay Sir Ed,” said Petecio.
“Maliban sa bansa, bawat panalo namin iaaalay namin para sa yumaon naming presidente,” she added.
Petecio said Picson has been a father figure not only to her, but also to every member of the national team.
“Para kaming naputulan ng isang paa. Hanggang ngayon dinadala pa namin. Hindi pa kami nakaka-recover kasi hindi namin inaasahan yung nangyari. Nabigla kami,” she said, adding that the team was able to bond with Picson in February despite their busy training schedule.
Petecio will compete in the women’s 57kg where she aims to surpass her bronze-medal finish – albeit in a heavier weight category at 60kgs – in the previous edition held in Vietnam last year.
Joining Petecio were fellow Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam (men’s 54kg), Tokyo Olympian Irish Magno (women’s 54kg), reigning SEAG champion Ian Clark Bautista (men’s 57kg), Mark Lester Durens (48kg), Rogen Ladon (51kg), Paul Julyfer Bascon (60kg), James Palicte (63.5 kg), Norlan Petecio (67kg), John Nobel Marvin (80kg), Markus Cezar Tongco (92kg) and Riza Pasuit (women’s 63kg).
The PH team aims to eclipse its three-gold medal haul in Vietnam.