ALMATY, Kazakhstan – Nabigo sina PLDT-ABAP national boxers Rey Saludar at Charly Suarez na maiuwi ang gold medal matapos matalo sa kanilang championship bouts sa President’s Cup.
Kapwa nakuntento sina Saludar at Suarez sa silver medals.
Pinatumba ni Suarez si Asian lightweight champion Berik Abdrahmanov ng Kazakhstan sa third round mula sa isang right hook at binigyan ng 8-count ng referee at nakatayo.
Pinilit niyang makipagsabayan bago nalampasan ang rapido ni Suarez sa pagtunog ng bell.
“That bell rang suspiciously early” sabi ni coach Elmer Pamisa. “We never even heard the 10-second clapper to signify that the round was about to end.”
Sa huli ay tinalo ng Kazakh fighter si Suarez via unanimous decision mula sa judges ng Kazakhstan, Russia at Ukraine.
Tila tinalo rin ni Saludar sa suntukan si Uzbek opponent Zoirov ngunit natalo rin, 30-26, 30-27 at 30-27.
“We came here to gauge our strengths and weaknesses and to aid us in our decision on our final lineup for the Asian Games. Saludar and Suarez both had four tough fights in six days. I think we achieved our objectives”, sabi ni ABAP executive director Ed Picson.
Samantala, dumating na ang isa pang grupo ng mga Asiad aspirants sa Guiyang, China para sumabak sa China Open.