Gabuco gains golden shot

NAYPYITAW—World champion Josie Gabuco put up a punching clinic against her Laotian foe Thursday to storm into the finals of the light flyweight class of the 27th Southeast Asian Games women’s boxing competition here.

On a day when the Philippine team suffered its first two defeats of the competition, Gabuco shone with  a unanimous decision win over Sogka Chanthavongsa of Laos, 40-36, 40-34, 40-34,  at Wunna Theikdi Stadium.

With the victory, Gabuco, who battles Indonesia’s Beatrix Suguro for the gold on Saturday, became the second Filipino fighter to secure at least a  silver  after Nesthy Petecio earlier advanced to the featherweight finals.

Newcomers  Maricris Igam and Irish Magno settled for bronze medals following semifinal losses to defending champions from Thailand.

Igam lost by unanimous decision to flyweight  Sopida Satumrum,   34-40, 37-39, 36-40.

But the defeat that stung the most came a fight later when promising bantamweight Magno yielded to Peamwilai Laopeam, 37-39, 38-38, 37-39.

The Iloilo-born fighter looked to have landed the cleaner punches in a slugfest with the three-time champion Thai.

Confident that Igam had done enough to win, the Filipino corner had already raised the hands of Magno  in jubilation only to be left disappointed by the decision.

“Irish put up a good fight,” said boxing executive director Ed Picson. “She outdid herself. It’s a questionable decision.”

It will be the men’s turn to shoot for places in the finals Friday with  light fly Mark Barriga facing Mohd Fuad Reovan of Malaysia and flyweight Rey Saludar taking on Mg Nge of Myanmar.

Lightweight Junel Cantancio battles Mohammad Ridhwan Ahmad of Singapore for a shot at the gold, before lightwelter Dennis Galvan squares off with Ericok Amanuponyo of Indonesia

Bantamweight Mario Fernandez tangles with Tran Quoc Viet of Vietnam, while middleweight Wilfredo Lopez finally sees action against Alex Tatontos of Indonesia.