Paris dream within reach

MANILA, Philippines — One more step.

That is what Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas would need to book a ticket to this July’s Paris Olympics after the two valiant Filipinas fought the fight of their lives in turning back their respective foes Sunday in the World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.

But it was the end of the road in this qualifying meet for Tokyo silver winner Carlo Paalam, who was forced to abandon his bout due to an injury, and Olympian Rogen Ladon, who was booted out.

Petecio, the Tokyo Games silver medalist and former world champion, used her vast experience in overcoming a slow start and outlasting a taller and upset-conscious Maud Van der Toorn of the Netherlands in their women’s 57-kilogram quarterfinal duel.

That sent the 31-year-old Davao del Sur pride to the semifinals where she will clash with Turkey’s Esra Yildiz Kahraman, a 4-1 winner over Great Britain’s Elise Glynn. Petecio is now a triumph away from claiming a Paris berth. Only two quota places were allotted in Petecio’s division.

Meanwhile, Villegas trounced Denmark’s Sofie Vinter Rosshaug, 5-0, to leapfrog to the women’s 50kg quarterfinals and move a win closer to snatching one of the four Olympic spots at stake in her class.

In the quarters, Villegas will battle a dangerous Zlatislava Genadieva Chukanova, who surged through with a 5-0 result over Jordan’s Hanan Nassar. But the Filipina is expected to give it her all again to earn that glorious Olympic trip.

The pair of magnificent results somehow helped ease the pain of the heartbreaking defeats suffered by Paalam and Ladon.

Paalam abandoned his fight versus Turkmenistan’s Shuku Ovezov due to the excruciating pain from the shoulder injury he sustained from his previous fight.

Ladon succumbed to Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald, 4-1, and crashed out.

Mercifully, Paalam, Ladon and the rest of the Filipino pugs dreaming the Olympic dream will have one final chance in the second World Qualification Tournament set May 23 to June 3 in Bangkok, Thailand.