ABAP fields only the best in Asiad

MANILA, Philippines - There are no shoo-ins for the Philippine boxing team to the Guangzhou Asian Games in November.

“As far as I know, there are no shoo-ins,” said Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines executive director Ed Picson in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the PSC main dining hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Picson said ABAP will make sure it will send the best possible team to the Asian Games in its bid to match or surpass the two gold medals won by Violito Payla and Joan Tipon four years ago in Doha, Qatar.

A big boost for the Philippines is the inclusion of women’s boxing in Guangzhou even if there are only three weight classes – flyweight, lightweight and middleweight.

In the Laos SEA Games last month, the Philippines only fielded 10 boxers and went home with five gold (three in the women’s side), three silver and one bronze medals.

But again, Picson said even the gold medalists in Laos are not yet assure of slots to Guangzhou.

“First of all, it’s still early. Then, we need to monitor their performances in the coming months and how they perform in tournaments, especially the international tournaments, heading to the Asian Games,” he said.

In short, Picson said not even Annie Albania, a gold medalist in Laos, is not assured of a slot to the next Asiad, or that even Harry Tanamor, who fell short of expectations by settling for the silver, may be in.

“It’s too early to tell,” said Picson, who also briefed mediamen of the things in store for the 40 members of the ABAP pool.

He said there’s the National Championships scheduled Jan. 25 to 30 in Palawan, and that Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn has already signed the memorandum of agreement with ABAP regarding the hosting of the tournament.

Picson also mentioned plans of holding an international tournament that will coincide with the birthday celebration of ABAP chairman and PLDT/Smart big boss Manny Pangilinan on July 14.

“It will not be in the level of the King’s Cup in Thailand that attracts around 30 countries. We will start small. We’re looking at six countries. We will call it the MVP Cup, and it’s already in the drawing board,” said Picson on behalf of Pangilinan and ABAP president Ricky Vargas.

As far as foreign competitions are concerned, Picson said up next is the one in Azerbaijan in April. It will serve as a qualifying tournament for the Youth Olympics in Singapore on Aug. 14 to 21. There are other foreign trips being considered, all leading to the Asian Games.

“Five or six international tournaments before the Asian Games will be good for us. The level of competition in the Asian Games is much higher so we will make sure that our boxers are properly trained, taken cared of and well-equipped,” Picson said.

“I have full confidence that we will be competitive although I cannot promise anything. We’re there and it’s just a matter of being more focused in our programs. With proper support from government and private sector I don’t see why we can’t suceed,” the ABAP executive said.      – Abac Cordero