Vargas: Marcial win whiff of fresh air

HANGZHOU – Ricky Vargas, who for years was on top of Philippine amateur boxing, looked at Eumir Marcial as the team’s saving grace here at the 19th Asian Games.

“The best. The best news for boxing so far,” said Vargas, also the former president of the Philippine Olympic Committee and current chairman of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines and the Philippine Basketball Association.

Vargas was at the stands but felt so close to the action when Marcial knocked out his Syrian opponent, Ahmad Ghousoon, in the second round en route to the final of the 80kg class.

It also gave Marcial a sure slot in next year’s Paris Olympics.

Vargas, always present when Pinoy boxers see action here, said Marcial’s victory was a whiff of fresh air for the 10-strong lineup. Nine of them failed to get past the quarterfinals, including Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio.

“In a situation where we would have expected more to qualify, he (Marcial) saved boxing dito sa Asian Games,” said Vargas.

“Only hope siya eh. The last man standing sa boxing,” Vargas told Pinoy mediamen.

At the mixed zone of the boxing venue, Marcial and Vargas met, and shared a warm embrace.

“Eumir, we will do it again in the Olympics,” Vargas told the 27-year-old pride of Zamboanga.

Marcial acknowledged the challenge but had to remind Vargas that there’s still a gold-medal match against a Chinese fighter.

“Kukunin pa po muna natin ‘yung gold,” Marcial said, and the two shared a laugh.

Vargas seemed unfazed that Marcial was scheduled to meet a hometown bet, reminding the press that Gilas Pilipinas was also up against the home team in the men’s basketball.

“Okay lang. ‘Yun din ang kalaban sa basketball. Okay ‘yun. We will just do our best and fight,” he said.