Petecio, Paalam eye LA Olympics

MANILA, Philippines — Tokyo Olympic silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam remain in the ABAP national training pool with the goal of trying their luck in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after submitting mixed results in Paris. Although boxing is still in limbo for LA, the odds are it will stay in the calendar with the impending IOC recognition of World Boxing as the accredited international federation.

Petecio, 32, won three fights then lost in the semifinals to claim a bronze while Paalam, 26, fell short of a podium finish after losing a hairline split decision in the quarterfinals in Paris. “Nesthy and Carlo both want to still try for LA 2028 but we have to approach it year per year since it’s too far, especially for Nesthy who’ll be 36 by then,” said ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo. “For Carlo, it’s a big possibility. It’s not about wanting it but committing to the daily grind that qualifying for the Olympics requires.” The age limit for men and women in Olympic boxing is 40. On the way to LA, Manalo said both two-time Olympians could be lined up for the SEA Games in Bangkok next year and Asian Games in Nagoya in 2026.

There are 43 boxers in the ABAP pool with 25 elite men, 10 elite women and eight in the junior/youth category. The elite men are Jay Bryan Baricuatro in 48kg; Rogen Ladon, Ronel Suyom, Marvin Tabamo, Aaron Jude Bado and John Wayne Vicera in 51/52kg; Paalam, Flint Jara and Eljay Pamisa in 54kg; Ian Clark Bautista, Junmilardo Ogayre, Jericho Acaylar and John Paul Napoles in 57kg; Paul Julyfer Bascon, Ganne Ian Gerodias and Mervin Lucky Alcober in 60kg; Mark Ashley Fajardo, John Paul Panuayan and Brandon Soriano in 63.5kg; Norlan Petecio in 67kg; Marjon Pianar, Ronald Chavez Jr. and Tyler Tanap in 71kg; Eumir Marcial in 75kg and John Marvin in 80kg.

The elite women are Cleo Tesara and Ofelia Magno in 48kg; Aira Villegas, Maria Adriana Cabalfin and Xian Baguhin in 50kg; Ermalie Caballero and Patricia Mae Sumalinog in 54kg; Petecio in 57kg and Riza Pasuit and Clowe Tabastabas in 60kg. The junior (15-16 age range) boxers are Leomhar Lorrido in 46kg and Wendel Caytuna in 54/57kg. The youth (17-18 age range) boxers are Nick Anjelo Payla and Jerome Cometa in 48kg; Jerome Lopez and Clark Vicera in 51/54kg; John Steven Demaisip in 60kg and Ivan Franz Ferrer in 75kg.