After going 3-0, Phl pugs go 0-3

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines took another stinging loss as Charly Suarez bowed to Ecuadorian Luiz Porozo, 11-13, in the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan Saturday, leaving just three fighters to vie for berths in next year’s London Olympics.

It was the team’s third straight setback after Mark Anthony Barriga, Rey Saludar and Joan Tipon came away with similar impressive victories in the opener of the event last week. Delfin Boholst lost last Thursday then Rolando Tacuyan followed suit Friday.

Suarez tried to end the skid as Porozo went down in the first round of their match which the Filipino later contended was a result of a cracking right straight to the chin. But the referee ruled it as a slip and the judges gave the first round to the Ecuadorian, 4-3.

Still, Suarez pressed on and wobbled his rival’s knees a couple of times but was only awarded one point more than Porozo to even the count at 8 after two rounds.

But the five judges again decided against the Filipino in the third as Porozo fashioned out a 13-11 win.

Delegation head and ABAP executive director Ed Picson said “we really felt Charly did more than enough to win it. But we have to respect the decision. We need to concentrate on the remaining task at hand. Charly took the decision like a man. We can do no less.”

Still in the hunt for slots for the London Olympiad (a boxer needs to win three fights in the tournament to qualify) are Rey Saludar, who faces Safoviddin Yusufi of Tajikistan Sunday and Mark Anthony Barriga (vs Patrick Barnes of Ireland) and Joan Tipon (vs Zhang Jiawei of China) today.

ABAP chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan personally called Picson to cheer up the boxers and assure them of his full support. Pangilinan encouraged them to stand up to the challenge and never give up.

“Do not ever lose hope. Try harder, be more focused and bring it home for your country and your family”, the businessman-sportsman exhorted,” Pangilinan said.

Last Friday, Tacuyan, 20, struggled against Mehdi Toloutibandpi of Iran and dropped a 16-24 decision in the light welterweight match.

The Nationals’ campaign is funded by the Philippine Sports Commission and the national boxers’ major private sponsor PLDT with support from Adidas, Powerade, Accel and Clusivol.