Paalam prevails as Phl pugs avert worst finish

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam averted what could have been the worst performance by the Philippine boxing in the Asian Games when he clipped Zhang Jiamao of China, 3-2, in their 55-kilogram quarterfinal duel on Monday at the Nishio Gym in Nagoya.

Earlier, fellow Tokyo second-placer Nesthy Petecio was eliminated by Chinese Yang Chengyu on points in their 60-kilogram clash that could have assured her of at least a bronze.

“(She is an) Olympian and world champion,” Petecio, 34, said of Yang, adding that her rival had the advantage since she was fighting in her natural weight class.

“We were planning to box and run in the first round but we were surprised that we fought inside,” she added.

Fortunately for the Philippine team, which is aiming to break a 16-year gold drought, Paalam came to the rescue by slipping past Zhang.

Paalam, 28, fought strong in the first half of the bout and had to repulse a last-ditch effort by Zhang, 27, to steal the match.

But Paalam will be in for a tough grind in the semifinal as he clashes with Kazakhstan’s world champion Makmud Sabyrkhan.

Aside from Petecio, who was hoping to nail his first Asian Games gold, also put of contention are Paris Olympics bronze medalist Aira Villegas, Riza Pasuit, Norlan Petecio and Junmilardo Ogayre.

The last time the Philippines took a gold in the Asian Games happened in Guangzhou in 2010 courtesy of flyweight Rey Saludar.

Had Paalam failed against Zhang, it will mark the first time the Philippines will not bring home an Asian Games medal since its inception in 1954.

The most disappointing placing by the Philippines in Asian Games boxing took place in 1998 in Bangkok when a mere bronze was won by Eric Canoy in the featherweight class.

If Paalam fails to advance in the final, this year’s edition will match the forgettable 1998 output.