The Philippine boxing team will report back to training next week as it sets its sights on a strong showing in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
After the fiasco of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok last month, the national boxers have been advised to return to camp on 11 January.
“The elite boxers will gather in Baguio City while the Youth and Juniors are expected to show up in Bukidnon,” said national team head coach Pat Gaspi said.
In the last SEA Games in Thailand, the host country won 14 out of 17 gold medals. Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines all wound up with one gold apiece to finish second, third and fourth overall in the medal standings.
Despite the Thais’ potent medal drive, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) swears it was not a reflection of the boxers’ readiness.
There were several officiating booboos that affected mainly the Philippines during the SEA Games, leaving the likes of the highly-regarded Jay Baricuatro and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio settling for crumbs.
Light-heavyweight Eumir Marcial, the Tokyo bronze medal winner, saved the day for Philippine boxing with the lone gold.
This year, the ABAP’s main thrust is the Asian Games.
Last time in Hangzhou, China, only Marcial brought home a medal, a silver as the Zamboanga City native dropped a decision to a hometown bet.
While the Asian Games is not an Olympic qualifying event for the Los Angeles 2028 Games, the ABAP is determined to make a splash.
Marcial will be right there as well as Tokyo silver medalist Carlo Paalam and Petecio.
“No qualifying tournaments announced yet but for sure there will be continental qualifiers in 2027 and world-level qualifiers (maybe 2) in 2028,” ABAP secretary general Marcus Manalo said.
The Asian championship being hosted by Mongolia in March-April will be the boxers’ first big test in 2026.