SEA Games. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — All but one of six Filipino boxers in the men’s division will get a crack at the gold medal in the 27th Southeast Asian Games after contrasting victories on Friday in Myanmar.
Mark Barriga, Junel Cantancio, Mario Fernandez, Willy Lopez and Dennis Galvan all advanced to the finals Saturday while Rey Saludar failed to make the cut.
Barriga, the country’s representative to the London Olympics last year, won via split decision over Malaysian foe Mohd Fuad Reovan in the light flyweight.
Cantancio, meanwhile, triumphed over Mohammad Ridhwan Ahmad of Singapore via unanimous decision in the lightweight category while bantamweight Mario Fernandez dominated Vietnam’s Tran Quoc Viet en route to another UD win.
Middleweight Lopez and and lightwelet Galvan pulled off a separate split decision victories of Indonesian boxers Alex Tatontos and Ericok Amanupnoyo, respectively, to also make it to the finale.
Only Saludar, an Asian games gold medalist, dropped his assignment as he succumbed to a unanimous decision setback to Mg Nge of host Myanmar in the flyweight division to settle for the bronze medal.
The five boxers joined female pugs Nesthy Petecio and Josie Gabuco in the final round set on Saturday.