Two more pugs book Paris spots Bacyadan, Paalam make it five-strong cast for boxing

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will unleash five boxers in the Paris Olympics next month.

The crack boxing team will include a returnee, Carlo Paalam, and a debutant, Hergie Bacyadan, as the two brave fighters delivered a pair of tour de force performances in consecutive days in the second World Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.

Bacyadan, 29, was at her spectacular best as she overpowered Maryelis Yriza of Venezuela for a unanimous decision in their women’s 75-kilogram division duel yesterday.

It came hours after Paalam, a silver medalist in the Tokyo Olympics, overwhelmed Indian Sachin Siwach also via unanimous decision in the men’s 57kg class.

Paalam and Bacyadan are joining fellow pugs Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas in chase of glory in the Paris Games.

In all, Paalam and Bacyadan are the 14th and 15th Philippine athletes to secure a place in Paris after pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo, rower Joanie Delgaco, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza and Elreen Ando, and fencer Sam Catantan.

It was an exceptional showing for Philippine boxing as it matched its number of representatives in the 1996 Atlanta Games including eventual silver medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco.

Interestingly, it will be a reunion of sorts for Paalam, Petecio and Marcial, who delivered three of the four medals won by Team Philippines in the Tokyo Games three years ago with a pair of silvers and a bronze.

The other one was the breakthrough gold from Hidilyn Diaz, who unfortunately did not make the Paris cut.

After sizing up Yriza in the opening round, Bacyadan, a world vovinam champion and wushu practitioner on the side, went to work and made a decisive move in the second, dizzying her befuddled foe with a jolting uppercut that drew a standing eight-count.

Leading in three of the five judges’ count, Bacyadan unloaded her full might with magnificent flurries to seal the deal, winning in all scorecards – three 30-26s and two 29-27s.

After her hand was raised in victory, Bacyadan, barely controlling her emotions, did the Kalinga Apayao dance as a tribute to her roots, hugged her coaches and then went down, and was welcomed by her proud team that included Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines chairman Ricky Vargas.

Meanwhile, Paalam used speed, experience and savvy to negate whatever size advantage Siwach had, and drew the nod of all five judges, who scored three 29-28s and a couple of 30-27s.

That propelled Paalam – with 11-month-old baby Carlshay Celeste in the venue – back to the Olympics where he gets a chance to chase the medal that got away in Tokyo – a gold.