Light flyweight Lhyven Salazar, taking the cudgels for the embattled Filipinos, beat Pakistan’s Naumar Karim on points, 27-12, to avenge a bitter loss by teammate Violito Payla to the same Pakistani in the quarterfinals of the Busan Asian Games last year when Karim was then campaigning in the heavier flyweight class.
But while Salazar had to sweat it out in the match, bantamweight Ferdie Gamo made it two-for-two for the national team aspirants when he barged into the finals without throwing a punch. He was awarded the semifinals win when Li Yang of Beijing (China) failed to climb the ring due to injury and was ruled loser by default.
The Filipinos, sent here by the Philippine Sports Commission, Pacific Heights, Accel and Family Rubbing Alcohol, gun for the gold against members of the Chinese national squad on Monday night.
Salazar will face Zao Shiming in the first bout while Gamo will tangle with Zhang Yizheng in the day’s third bout in this 11-nation tournament.
"Bago pa lamang kami magharap, plano na naming paspasan ko yung Pakistani sa umpisa pa lamang para hindi kami maagrabyado sa scoring. Kaya nang mag-umpisa na, hindi ko tinigilan," said Salazar, a prize find from Bacolod City.
At the sound of the first bell, Salazar rushed in and surprised his rival with 1-52 combinations that sent the Pakistani backpedaling most of the round forcing the judges to press the button for points by Salazar. At the break, Salazar was leading by six, 7-1.