Pinoy pugs start SEAG buildup

Filipino boxers start their buildup for the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand where they are expected to slug it out with their regional archrivals for the overall championship as they compete in three tough international tournaments beginning with the first Seniors Boxing Tournament in Azerbaijan on Monday.

Genebert Basadre, bronze medal winner in last year’s Asian Games in Doha, heads the team seeing action in Baku, Azerbaijan, along with Albert Fabila (light fly), Froilan Saludar (fly), Junel Cantancio (bantam) and Charlie Suarez (light).

Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) secretary-general Roger Fortaleza said the Azerbaijan tilt serves as the start of the yearlong selection process for the national team competing in the Bangkok SEAG slated Dec. 6-16 where they are expected to face tough opposition from the host nation.

"It’s going to be interesting, fighting the Thais in the ring," said Fortaleza in Filipino.

Thailand is staking 14 gold medals in boxing, according to ABAP president Manny Lopez.

The RP fighters are also set to see action in the King’s Cup slated April 4-10 in Bangkok, which should serve as a prelude to the RP-Thailand showdown in the 24th SEAG edition, and in the Amert Comert Cup slated May 8-14 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Three more Asian tournaments and stints in Europe and Cuba are also in the calendar for the RP boxing team, according to Fortaleza. – Joey Villar