SEA Games 2023: Paul Bascon adds to PH boxing’s gold haul after close win

Filipino boxer Paul Julyfer Bascon. –PAUL JULYFER BASCON FACEBOOK

PHNOM PENH—Paul Julyfer Bascon threw his arms up into the air in a state of bliss upon hearing the decision of the judges in a close shave victory in the lightweight division finals on Sunday night at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

The 25-year-old from Davao Del Norte was trailing after the first round but recovered his bearings in the second before going all out against Thailand’s Rujakran Juntrong for the gold in the men’s 60kg class at the Chroy Changvar Convention Hall here.

Bascon’s split-decision win was the third gold for Team Philippines in men’s boxing after Carlo Paalam ruled the bantamweight division and Ian Clark Bautista captured the featherweight title.

“I was told to be more aggressive in the third round. I just did my best and got rewarded,’’ said Bascon, who knocked out Cambodia’s Touch Davit in the second round of the semifinal encounter.

Southeast Asian Games – Boxing – Chroy Changvar Convention Centre Hall G, Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 14, 2023 Philippines’ John Nobel Tupas Marvin in action against Thailand’s Weerapon Jongjoho in the 80kg category REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

Norlan Petecio failed to join them after dropping his welterweight clash against Thailand’s Bunjong Sinsiri via unanimous decision.

John Marvin suffered the same fate at the hands of Thailand’s Weerapon Jongjoho in the light heavyweight class as the Filipino-British boxer settled for the silver medal, the country’s fifth after flyweight Rogen Ladon, bantamweight Irish Magno, light welter Riza Pasuit and Petecio.