Magliquian shocks Thai champ

BACOLOD — Juanito Magliquian stunned defending champion Kaew Pongprayoon, 37-25, to advance to the pinweight finals of the boxing competitions in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games and lead the surge of the Filipino fighters, including two in the women’s side, at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum here.

Magliquian, fighting out of Talisay City, pounced on Pongprayoon throughout their match, scoring heavily in exchanges en route to avenging his loss to the Thai fighter in the final of the last SEAG in Vietnam in 2003.

But the Thai camp was upset by its bet’s setback, claiming the contest appeared far closer than the final score.

"He boxed for four rounds and there were no points," said Thai team manager Chavala Suvannachive of Pongprayoon’s loss. "This is clear. This is not a fair contest."

The 1.52-meter (5-foot) Magliquian felt differently, saying he was in command throughout.

"I felt in control," he said. "His punches were just not coming through."

Alice Kate Aparri and Jouveliet Chilem also hurdled their respective rivals in the distaff side as the Philippines stepped up its bid to dominate the sport. Aparri beat Thai Ranjana Thongtiasong, 13-3, while Chilem disposed of Laotian Marivone Phimsompttou, 17-2, in an RSC win in the second round.

In other semifinals bouts, Thailand’s other main hopefuls - Olympic silver medalist Worapoj Petchkoom (featherweight) and Asian champion Somjit Jongjohor (flyweight) — easily dismissed their rivals.

Jongjohor ended the host’s winning streak here by outpointing Filipino Warleto Parenas, while Petchkoom knocked out Malaysia’s Eddey Kalai in the first round.

In one of the drawcards of a 14-fight semifinal night, Jongjohor easily ended Parenas’ challenge.

Jongjohor bobbed and weaved, drawing Parenas in close before using a number of hook combinations for points in all four rounds. The 2002 Busan Asian Games champion won 16-10. — Antonieta Lopez/with AP report