Ladon pounded Qatari Sadek Ablatif to a 22-7 decision in the featherweight semifinals while Ferrer took out hometown hero and one of India’s top boxers Kongaokal of the highly-touted Gold team, 39-31, in their lightwelter duel.
They join lightflyweight Harry Tanamor, fly Warlito Parrinas and bantam Arlan Lerio in the Saturday finals when RP Team-Revicon–supported by Pacific Heights, Accel and the Philippine Sports Commission–bid for a first-ever golden sweep in the history of the country’s international campaigns.
"Sa buong taon ko sa Philippine boxing, ngayon lang nangyari ito. Ang pinakamaganda na natin na nagawa ay nuong pumasok ang sampu sa 11 boxers natin sa finals noong 1988 sa Taiwan. Pinahanga talaga ng mga bata ang mga tao dito," said head coach George Caliwan.
Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines president Manny Lopez sent this short but meaningful text message from Manila late Friday:
"Well done, we’re very proud of you. Go for the golds but don’t forget that you still have the Southeast Asian Games (Vietnam, 2003) and the first Asian Olympic Qualifying (Palawan, 2004) to prepare for."
A very tough feat, this golden sweep, but the five promised to go all-out as Tanamor faces Khemanand Belwal of India-Gold, Parrinas meets Suresh Kumar of India-Red, Lerio duels Vijender Singh of India-Red, Ladon takes on Naveendev of India-B and Ferrer battles Vijender of India-Red.
Ladon and Ferrer, both navymen who hailed from Bago City and counts among their benefactors Mayor Jean Torres, provided two of the most exciting bouts of the day.
Ladon drew a cocky and Cuban-coached Ablatif who displayed the right ring moves but not the punching power flashed by the 20-year-old Filipino.
Ferrer, 22, had the crowd against him in the first three rounds as the veteran and favorite Kongaokal dug deep into his bagful of experience to keep the fight very close.
The action-packed fourth and final round saw Ferrer piling up the needed points, to the cheers of his newfound fans.
"Mabigat na finals ito dahil sa buong 11 divisions ay panay boxers ng India. Ang kailangan dito, sipag, tiyaga, at puso," offered assistant coach Nolito "Boy" Velasco who is also a Philippine National Police sergeant.
Also helping the Filipino cause is Darcito Teodoro, the most senior and top-ranked AIBA referee here who sees to it that his colleagues call all the bouts by holding regular consultations after each boxing day.
"Malaking bagay na may tiwala sila sa mga Filipino referees. So far, maganda naman ang patakbo ng tournament," said Teodoro.
India fielded three teams while Sri Lanka, Qatar, Bangladesh, Nepal and Afghanistan have sent some of their best boxers in preparation for the coming Afro-Asian Games.