SAN FRANCISCO, California — Philippine boxing's rapid advance took a massive hit over the weekend following Vincent Astrolabio's inability to slow down Australian Jason Moloney in their world bantamweight title showdown in Stockton.

Instead of applying tremendous pressure on Moloney, the Filipino banger opted to wait for the opportune time to strike.

Because Moloney was able to move from side-to-side with ease, it left Astrolabio struggling to find his rhythm.

Had he upset Moloney, he would have joined Marlon Tapales and Melvin Jerusalem as reigning world champions.

But it was not meant to be.

Astrolabio, though in possession of tremendous stopping power, was reduced to hitting air and the recipient of Moloney's peppery jabs.

He had his moments when he decided to press the attack, sending Moloney into panic mode and hitting him a few times by solid blows to the head and body.

The ball is now in his court.

But Astrolabio could not sustain the attack and it tolled heavily on the scoresheets.

Had he been more aggressive, who knows what might have happened?

There was so much optimism before the fight since Astrolabio trained long and hard in Las Vegas under ideal conditions.

Inside the dressing room, he repeatedly apologized for not winning and was told by his training team that all is not lost.

A crack at the world title in 2024 is in play.

But for that to happen, Astrolabio has to make changes in his game plan.

Major, major changes.

He has to ramp up his game and learn how to cut off the ring; press the attack and avoid getting mesmerized by fast-moving foes.

If he does that, 2024 promises to be a terrific year for him.

All is not lost for Astrolabio.

The ball is now in his court.