Petecios, Filipino boxers open hunt for nine SEA Games golds
Nesthy Petecio will be fighting for a gold like younger brother Norlan. —PHOTO FROM NESTHY
PETECIO’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
PHNOM PENH—Watching Nesthy Petecio batter her rivals was always a fun-filled moment for Norlan Petecio.
Now, it’s her elder sister’s turn to return the favor when Norlan climbs atop the ring on the biggest stage so far of his budding boxing career.
“I’ll cheer for him on the sidelines. We always talk about his fights and he knows what to do,’’ said the 31-year-old Nesthy.
They could become the first sister-brother gold performers for Team Philippines as the boxing finals of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games get going on Saturday at Chroy Changvar Convention Hall.
“I look forward to his performance. It’s his turn to make a name for himself, not only for our country, but for his family as well,’’ said Nesthy, the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist in women’s featherweight.
Nesthy and Norlan (lightweight) form part of nine Filipino boxers who made it to the gold-medal fights, with Rogen Ladon taking the first crack in his title defense against Thailand’s Thanarat Saengphet in the men’s flyweight division.
“I have faced him (Saengphet) a couple of times, but I’m not taking any chances. Winning this gold will mean a lot for me,’’ said Ladon, the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympian eyeing his third consecutive SEA Games gold medal in the same weight class.
Ian Clark Bautista goes for a second straight gold when he battles Indonesia’s Asri Udin in the men’s featherweight.
Paalam gets going
The Philippines’ Carlo Paalam (blue) and Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov fight during their men’s fly (48-52kg) quarterfinal boxing match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 3, 2021. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / POOL / AFP)
“One of us will bring home the gold medal and I hope it will be me. I prepared hard for this,’’ said Bautista, the bantamweight title holder last year in Hanoi.
Tokyo Olympian Irish Magno squares off with Jutamas Jitpong of Thailand for the women’s flyweight plum on the same night and lightweight Riza Pasuit is set to battle Vietnam’s Thi Linh Ha.
Norlan Petecio enters the ring with Thailand’s Bunjong Sinsiri on Sunday before Nesthy faces Indonesia’s Ratna Sari Devi for the featherweight title.
Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam (men’s 54kg) has likewise set a date with history in a meeting with Aldoms Suguro of Indonesia.
“I always listen to all the tips that she gives me. Whatever happens on Sunday, I’ll always be thankful for her guidance along with the coaches,’’ said Norlan.
Paul Bascon arranged a titular clash with Thailand’s Rujakran Juntrong in the 60kg finale and John Tupas Marvin battles Weerapon Jongjoho in the light heavy finals.
