ABAP to send best of the lot

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines said the five fighters chasing Olympic berths in the first Asian Qualifiers in Bangkok have got what it takes to win in the tough 29-nation meet firing off next week.

In fact, flyweight Violito Payla, bantamweight Joan Tipon, lightweight Genebert Basadre, featherweight Orlando Tacujan and Fil-Am light welterweight Adam Bigornia Fiel have all passed the criteria set by the boxing body to make it to the national team.

“We’ve arrived at this line-up upon the deliberations of our coaches and team doctors,” ABAP president Manny Lopez told The STAR after the RP pugs’ final sparring sessions at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex yesterday.

Lopez said the five boxers were selected for their ability to win, performance in local and international competitions, character and discipline and their respective opponent’s profile.

“This is the five we felt have a strong chance of winning,” said Lopez, who made the announcement after submitting the final lineup to the Thai organizers yesterday.

The Philippines is eyeing to capture two more Olympic slots in the Bangkok qualifier slated Jan. 24-Feb.3.

Harry Tañamor is the lone Filipino qualifier thus far with a silver medal finish in last year’s World Championships in Chicago.

Tipon also saw action in the world tilt but took an early exit although the Asian Games gold medallist has vowed to atone for that poor showing with a victory in Bangkok.

Lopez said his target is to qualify two fighters in Bangkok and two more in Almaty, Kazakhstan in April to send a team of five to Beijing. The Philippines qualified four fighters in Sydney in 2000 and four in Athens four years ago.