Brin keeps Olympic hopes alive

TAEJON City, South Korea - Romeo Brin became the second Filipino fighter to barge into the semifinal round of the second Asian Olympic qualifying Sunday when he beat Yamaguchi Iuroshi of Japan in their light welterweight quarterfinal duel at the Chung Mu Stadium here.

The 26-year-old Army sergeant outslugged the game Japanese in a virtual brawl that resulted in 15-11 decision for the Filipino, who joined compatriot Ramil Zambales in the next round where no less than a berth in this year's Sydney Games is at stake.

Brin goes up against Lu Zung Wei of China Monday while Zambales climbs the ring against1996 Atlanta Games gold medalist Somluck Kamsing of Thailand in their featherweight clash.

Both hailing from Puerto Princesa City, Brin and Zambales are the remaining survivors of a five-man RP squad.

Failing to advance into the medal round in their first tries were light flyweight Danilo Lerio, welterweight Junie Tizon and bantamweight Roel Laguna, who lost to hometown bet Cho Seok Hwan, 15-7, earlier on Sunday.

Brin took the first two rounds against the taller Iuroshi where he piled up points from his head and body shots. But the Japanese came charging back in the third round with his own barrage of blows that saw Brin barely keep a one-point lead going into the last frame.

"Napuruhan din ako sa last round, nahilo ako. Pero alam ko kaya ko kaya hindi na ako nagpatakot, sinabayan ko na rin," said Brin, who recovered in time to save his lead and his place in the semis.