MANILA, Philippines - Charly Suarez will not be able to defend his lightweight gold medal in the coming Southeast Asian Games as the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) decided to drop him due to injury.
Suarez, according to Abap executive director Ed Picson in his letter to chef de mission Jeff Tamayo yesterday, “was unable to recover from an injury which required medical procedure.â€
Junel Cantancio will be taking the spot of the pride of Panabo, Davao who hurt his shoulder during training.
Cantancio, a finalist in the China Open, will join Olympian Mark Barriga, world champion Josie Gabuco, Asian Games titlist Rey Saludar, Irish Magno, Maricris Igam, Mario Fernandez, Nesthy Petecio, Wilfredo Lopez and Dennis Galvan in the boxing team.
Aside from boxing, women’s football also made changes to its lineup two weeks before the multi-sport Games kick off.
The Malditas tapped Chalise Baysa, Patricia Dull, Nicole Diaz, Raylene Layot and Dominique Oro to replace six players who will not be available, including Heather Cooke.