By Nick Giongco
Fast-rising Carlo Paalam and Eumir Felix Marcial will banner the men’s team while Nesthy Petecio will form the tip of the two-member women’s squad in the Indonesia Asian Games that begins Aug. 16.
Paalam will campaign in the 49 kg. (light-flyweight) class while Marcial will compete in the 75 kg. (middleweight) and Petecio will try her luck in the 57 kg. (featherweight) category.
Paalam, who is rating to make up for his early exit in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games, is coming off the biggest victory of his young career.
During a tournament in Russia last May, the 29-year-old Paalam upset 2014 Asian Games champion Shin Jong Hun of Korea to win the gold.
Making up the men’s team are veteran Rogen Ladon (52 kg. flyweight), Mario Fernandez (56 kg. bantam), James Palicte (60 kg. lightweight) and Joel Bacho (69 kg. welter).
Irish Magno (51 kg. fly) will be the other lady puncher on the team that is targeting to make a splash.
According to boxing association secretary general Ed Picson, Palicte’s choice over the bemedalled Charly Suarez was based on Palicte’s activity and Suarez’s injury woes.
