Four-gold haul RP pugs dream mission

HYDERABAD, India–A reap of four gold medals may be a far-fetched idea but the RP boxers are keen on doing the unthinkable in pursuit of glory and recognition in the first Afro-Asian Games here.

Bantamweight Ferdie Gamo completed the Pinoy fighters’ romp in the quarterfinal round with a 2-1, win over Malik Bouyiane Monday for another sure bronze in a victory that needed a jury decision after the computer failed to record the Filipino’s score.

The result didn’t go too well with the Algerian, who hung around in the ring long after the outcome has been announced to dramatize his protest. But it was crystal clear that Gamo had thrown and landed more punches, his footwork always keeping him a step ahead of his rival, whose blows the Filipino parried with flair and resolve.

Gamo, however, will have to wait another day to resume his hunt for a gold medal with the troika of Harry Tanamor, Violito Payla and Roel Laguna set to climb the ring Wednesday, hoping to all advance to the championship round against rivals teeming with talent. Gamo clashes with Uzbekistan’s Bahodirjon Sooltonov, a bronze medalist in the recent World Championships in Thailand, Thursday.

"Pipilitin naming manalo," said the 25-year-old Tanamor, a silver medalist in the Busan Asiad but who will be ranged against tough Kazakh bet Serik Sikymbayev in the semis of the lightflyweight division.

The boxers took a rest day Tuesday with coach Pat Gaspi conducting a 1 1/2 workout while expressing confidence of at least two gold medal harvest from his brave bunch of pugilists whose campaign here is backed by Revicon, Accel, Pacific

"Mga dalawa (golds) siguro pwede. Pero ang maka-sweep mahirap dahil malalakas din ang mga kalaban," said Gaspi, pointing to Tanamor and Payla as his best hopes.

ABAP president Manny Lopez, who is here as technical delegate of Asia in boxing, likewise expressed guarded optimism on his wards chances, although he stressed that it would be impossible for the Filiipinos to sweep the four gold medals.

"Mahirap makuha lahat dahil andyan ang mga Ruso at mga Indiano," said Lopez. —Dante Navarro