Vargas urges Philippines boxers to defy odds

MANILA, Philippines — ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas said yesterday he’s disappointed about officiating and scoring in boxing at the ongoing SEA Games in Bangkok but advised the Philippine team fighters still in contention for gold to stay aggressive and focus on getting the job done in the ring.

Vargas arrived in Bangkok last night and will stay until the end of the boxing finals on Friday to return home the next day. “I spoke to (ABAP secretary-general) Marcus (Manalo) on glaringly poor officiating,” said Vargas. “I’ve even elevated my disappointment to (POC president) Bambol (Tolentino). I told Marcus the unfairness will be there but we should take it out of our minds and fight as hard as we can as that’s the only way to win.”

Vargas added that to defy the odds, staying aggressive is the key. “SEA Games have been a disappointment so far for boxing as we’ve been robbed of victories,” he said. In particular, two-time Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio’s 3-2 loss to Indonesia’s Hasanah Huswatun in the women’s lightwelterweight 63kg semifinals was controversial. Another doubtful outcome was Thai Baison Manikon’s shutout decision over Olympian Hergie Bacyadan in the women’s lightmiddleweight 70kg semifinals.

“Huswatun didn’t do much in the last round and Nesthy landed clearer punches but ended up losing the round, 1-4, and the fight,” said Manalo. “Hergie was given a standing eight-count and a deduction in the last round, both questionable and the fight was tied after two rounds. The Thailand Boxing Association is supervising the fights as the local organizing committee and officials are from Asian Boxing which is under World Boxing. The technical delegate, technical officials and referee-judges should be certified by WB. Maybe, there are a few exceptions.”

It’s a full load for ABAP boxers today as four fighters see action in the semifinals. Riza Pasuit faces Thai Apisada Tantawa in women’s lightweight 60kg. Jay Bryan Baricuatro engages Timor Leste’s Antonio Nicolau Hau da Silva in men’s lightlfyweight 48kg. Flint Jara battles Singapore’s Ang Jin Yang in men’s bantamweight 54kg. Ofelia Magno takes on Vietnam’s Ngo Ngoc Linh Chi in women’s 48kg. The semifinal losers will settle for a bronze while the winners advance to the final.