Saludar in semis; two others fall

MANILA, Philippines - Guangzhou Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar survived the rash of upsets that befell PLDT-ABAP national team, outpointing an old Pakistani rival in a virtual slugfest, 26-20, to reach the semifinal round in the Asian Men’s Boxing Championships at the Dowon Sports Arena in Incheon, South Korea Monday.

Like in their previous clash in the China Open earlier this year, Saludar dominated Waseem Muhammad in the early going but had to fend off the Pakistani’s comeback to clinch the win and assure himself of a bronze medal.

But Joan Tipon and Wilfredo Lopez dropped their respective matches, leaving the 22-year-old Saludar, a gold medal winner in last year’s Asiad, as the last man standing for Team Smart.

Tipon, a gold medal winner in Doha Asiad in 2006, succumbed to a wily Korean, Lee Jin Young who baited him into picking up a penalty for holding, costing him two points in the second round which ended at 7-4 for Lee.

Playing catch-up in the third, the 29-year-old Bacolod native ended up in a wrestling match and gave up a 5-10 decision.

Lopez also lost to an aggressive Qion Maimaitue of China, who constantly bored in and put the Filipino on the defensive, en route to a convincing 21-8 win.

Charly Suarez and Rolando Tacuyan were booted out right in the first round.

Despite the setbacks, coaches Ronald Chavez and Roel Velasco remained optimistic,” saying: “It’s better to lose now and see where we need to improve so we can prepare better for the Olympic qualifiers in September at the World Championships in Azerbaijan.”

Chavez also pointed out that they also want to be in top shape for the SEA Games in November.

Light flyweight Victorio Saludar missed the trip when he injured his hand in sparring three days before departure.