’By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Eumir Marcial is happy and contented even though he’s not competing in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games boxing competition here.
He expressed his optimism after nine boxers booked themselves to the gold-medal round Saturday and Sunday at the Chroy Changvar Convention Center.
“Noong una, nanghihinayan ako na hindi ako kasali. Napaisip ako, ano siguro magiging resulta kasi halos mga bata yung nag-participate. Pero iba ipinakita nila,” said Marcial, who is in this capital city to watch and support his teammates.
Marcial, who skipped the biennial meet due to injury, said he is excited to see many of his teammates are fighting for the gold medals as it reminded him of their stint in the 2015 edition in Singapore where eight of them advanced to the final rounds.
“Natutuwa ako kasi naalala ko noong 2015 SEA Games, walo kami sa finals. Lima kaming nakaginto, kasali ako dun,” said Marcial.
He is confident that all nine fighters will deliver, especially after what happened to Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) President Ed Picson, who passed away recently due to lingering illness.
“Grabe yung inspirasyon nila sa training lalo na nung namatay ang president namin. So alam kong inaalay nila itong mga labang ito hindi lang para sa bansa, kundi pati na rin sa pamilya ni sir Ed (Picson),” Marcial said.
“Alam kong gagawin nila yung best nila para makuha yung gold kaya tiwala ako na nine golds yan,” he added.
