JAKARTA, Indonesia--Kabuuang anim na atleta ng PLDT-ABAP ang nakapasok sa semifinal round ng 21st President’s Cup dito sa Senayan Indoor Stadium.
Ang karagdagang tatlo ay sina World Championship bronze medalist Josie Gabuco, Charly Suarez at Analisa Cruz, habang ang naunang tatlo ay sina Ian Clark Bautista (49 Kg), Nesthy Petecio (51 Kg; women) at Nathaniel Montealto (64 Kg).
Tinalo ni Gabuco si Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, 21-5, samantalang binigo ni Suarez si Ralin Lumoli ng Indonesia, 18-11, sa lightweight (60Kg) at inilampaso ni Cruz sa 51Kg si home bet Nurmala Deli, 24-6, sa quarterfinals.
“Of course we’re happy that six of our boxers have assured themselves of bronze medals. But our previous matches here were skirmishes. We now go to battle and this is where we need to be at our best,” ani Amateur Boxing Asociation of the Philippine executive director Ed Picson.
“Although our main objective here was to gauge our strengths and weaknesses, the opportunity has presented itself. It’s going to be tough, but we’ll go for it every time,” dagdag pa nito.
Makakasagupa nina Gabuco at Petecio sa semifinals ang dalawang Indonesians, habang makakatapat ni Cruz si veteran Japanese Aya Shinmoto.
Haharapin ni Bautista si Indian Gaurav Bidhuri, si Suarez laban kay Yeldos Saidalin ng Kazakhstan at si Montealto kontra kay Russian, Alexander Malinin.