ABAP tells pugs: Enjoy holiday, watch your weight

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the Philippine boxing team, including the coaching staff, have been given a couple of weeks off for them to spend the holidays with their loved ones.

Most of them had gone to their respective provinces, and very few opted to stay in their quarters at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex or the Teachers Camp in Baguio City.

“It’s Christmas time. Let them have fun and enjoy,” said Ed Picson, executive director of the Amateur Boxing Alliances of the Philippines.

However, the ABAP official said that while on vacation, the boxers must keep several things in mind, one of which is to keep their weight in check.

Picson also said everybody’s required to be back in training on Jan. 5. Failure to report back to duty on time, for the boxers or the coaches, could lead to severe penalties.

“Depending on the circumstance, it could lead to ouster from the team,” he said.

“Regardless of who you are or your status in the team, you need to be back in training on the said date. It’s better if you report back a couple of days ahead,” Picson added.

During a recent Christmas party hosted by ABAP president Ricky Vargas and secretary-general Pato Gregorio, everybody was reminded of the rules.

“It applies to everyone, including myself,” said Picson.

The most common excuse for being late, according to Picson, is the failure to book flights back to Manila.

“It won’t work this time because they were informed of the date even before the break,” he said.

Picson knows that during the holidays,  it’s very difficult to stay away from the buffet table.

“They were told they can’t go over their respective weights by three kilos. That’s the maximum because the heavier they get the more difficult it gets,” said Picson.

But the most important thing, according to the ABAP executive director, is for everybody to show up on the first day of training on Jan. 5.

“Overweight or not, you better show up,” Picson told the boxers.

“Or you will be sorry,” he added.