The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) sometimes feels that winning the gold medal in the Asian Games is “harder than (winning) in the World Championships.”

ABAP president Marcus Manalo insists that the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya from 19 September until 9 October will be just that as the Philippines attempts to put an end to a 16-year gold drought in the quadrennial sportsfest.

“Asian Games are always tough because the top boxing nations are in Asia. If you look at the Olympic medalists in Paris, you have Uzbekistan with five gold medals in the men’s division. China has three gold medals in the women’s division. Then you have Kazakhstan, China, and Japan as the host,” Manalo said recently.

“It’s going to be very difficult,” he said.

The last Filipino gold medalist in boxing was Rey Saludar, who pulled it off in the 52 kilogram division in the 2010 edition in Guangzhou, China.

Since Saludar’s 2010 triumph, the Philippines hasn’t tasted the sweetness of a gold medal at the Asiad.

Charly Suarez of the men’s 60kg division (Incheon, South Korea 2014), Rogen Ladon of the 52kg class(Jakarta 2018), and Eumir Marcial in the 80kg division (Hangzhou 2023) reached the final but ended up settling for silver medals.

But Manalo remains optimistic about the national team’s chances as the likes of Marcial, two-time Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio, Paris Summer Games bronze medalist Aira Villegas and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam will likely be recalled to pursue the gold.

Even professional boxer Weljon Mindoro looks to suit up for the national team once more as he looks to redeem himself after a bronze medal finish in the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.

“We’re looking forward to this one. I hope we can end the gold medal drought there,” Manalo said.

“We have a full year in terms of training camps and tournaments. I think by the time of the Asian Games, we’re going to be prepared.”