Boxers, jins favored to deliver Asian Games golds

MANILA, Philippines — Among the multitude of sports in the Asian Games calendar, boxing and taekwondo possess the highest probability of winning for the country.

Philippine Olympic Committee chair Tom Carrasco said both combat disciplines could deliver in the continental Games in Incheon, South Korea, given the track record of the national boxers and taekwondo jins in previous Asian-caliber meets.

“Boxing and taekwondo have the potential to deliver the medals,” said Carrasco during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

Boxer Rey Saludar pocketed one of three gold medals the Philippines won in the 2010 Asiad held in Guangzhou, China. Bowler Biboy Rivera and cue artist Dennis Orcollo bagged the other two gold medals.

The triathlon chief is also betting on wushu, BMX cycling, basketball and bowling to bring home the medals from the 17th edition of the Asiad set Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 and which offers 437 gold medals from 36 sports.

Carrasco is confident that Filipino athletes, who also came up with four silver and nine bronze medals in Guangzhou, could surpass the previous output.

“But we’re not going to come out with a prediction yet,” said Carrasco in the weekly session presented by Shakey’s, Accel and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

“Let’s wait for the complete profile of the team, and hopefully we’ll be able to surpass it (2010 Asiad).”

According to Carrasco, the PSC-POC Task Force is now busy holding meetings with the various national sports associations. Meanwhile, unbeaten Genesis Servania could face reigning World Boxing Organization super bantamweight Guillermo Rigondeaux if he gets past World Boxing Association super fly champion Alexander Muñoz.

The 22-year-old Filipino will face Muñoz in the co-main event of Pinoy Pride XXIV on Saturday at Solaire Resort and Casino Hotel.

“We’re just waiting for the right time,” said ALA Promotions’ Dennis Canete who accompanied Servania to the PSA Forum.