Veteran Pinoy pug pummels Swede

ATHENS (via Globe Telecom) — Veteran Romeo Brin, a last-minute replacement for teammate Chris Camat as flagbearer of the RP delegation in the marchpast Friday, set in motion his bid for glory in his final Olympic stint when he pounded out a 43-35 decision over Sweden’s Patrick Bogere in their lightwelterweight bout yesterday.

The victory came like a whiff of fresh air for the Philippine contingent, which suffered numbing losses in swimming and shooting and that of Camat, who bowed to a classy Russian rival in the first round of their middleweight clash.

The 32-year-old Brin, one of the few Filipino athletes who were three-time Olympians, piled up points in the early going then held his ground the rest of the way to bundle out his battle-tested Swede rival, who was born in Uganda and a quarterfinalist in the World in 2001 in Belfast.

Brin is making his farewell appearance in the Games, following a return from semi-retirement with a smashing result in Puerto Princesa although he will have his hands full when he faces tough Boonjumnong Manus of Thailand in the second round Thursday.

Earlier in the day, two Filipino swimmers started out strong but faded coming home in the second day of the event while the lone RP ace shooter lost a decent finish in the winds. pickup lito story