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Source: gmanews.tv
-- Josie Gabuco and Annie Albania hacked out convincing victories in Sunday's women's boxing quarterfinal action to assure the Philippines of at least two bronze medals in the Asian Indoor Games at the Bac Nihn Gymnasium.

The 21-year-old Gabuco proved too much for Macau's Weng Chan Cho, pulling off a 20-0 decision in the pinweight division even as the 27-year-old Albania produced the worthiest performance yet from the RP lady pugs with a Referee Stopped Contest - Outclassed (RSC-O) triumph over Meng Chieh Pin of Chinese Taipei in the bantamweight class.

"Josie and Annie are two solid boxers and we really expect them to do well in this tournament," said Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson.

Finding holes on the defense of Weng, Gabuco highlighted her one-sided fight with a standing eight count of her rival with a minute left in the third round.

Albania, a silver medalist in the 2008 World Women's Boxing Championships, showed that she is slowly regaining her fine form, forcing the referee to call three standing eight counts on the hapless Meng.

The Taiwanese boxer was literally made a punching bag by Albania who scored on a barrage of punches. A five-punch combination capped with a solid left dropped Meng to the canvass and although she stood up, the referee stopped the bout with 12 ticks in the third round after the third and final standing eight count.

The victories assured Gabuco, a bronze medalist in the World Championships, and Albania of a bronze medal in their respective divisions, which they can upgrade to a least a silver should they dispose of their Indian rivals in the semifinals Monday.

The wins also erased memories of the defeats suffered by teammates Alice Kate Aparri and Nesthy Petecio last Saturday in the flyweight and featherweight divisions, respectively.

Gabuco, who hails from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, meets four-time world champion ML Mary Kom next while the South Cotabato pug Albania collides with Chhoto Loura.

Both Kom and Loura went through the motion in their fight against Ting Lo Yueh of Chinese Taipei and Kumari Nilmini of Sri Lanka before prevailing, 14-9 and 10-2, respectively.

Mitchel Martinez also climbs atop the ring as she faces home town bet Vui Nguyen Thi in the 60-kilogram light-welterweight class.

"Ito na ang pinaghahandaan nating mga laban. Nasa kondisyon ang lahat ng mga manlalaro natin at maganda ang tsansa natin. They will give their best," said national coach Glicerio Catolico, who is ably being assisted by Roel Velasco.

"We have to keep our emotions in control because tougher fights are up ahead," added Picson.

Informed of the twin victories, RP Chief of Mission Julian Camacho was elated and hoped that the lady boxers continue their contribution to the country's drive of at least matching its one-gold medal haul during the 2005 Bangkok and 2007 Macau Asian Indoor Games.

"I also hope that the victories will rub on our athletes competing in other sports disciplines," added Camacho.