Source: gmanews.tv
-- Asian Games gold medalist Joan Tipon couldn’t have said it best when asked about the RP boxing team’s coming campaign in the 2009 Southeast Asian Games.
“Patay kung patay," said the soft-spoken boxer from Negros Occidental when he appeared with the rest of the national squad in the weekly PSA Forum Tuesday.
His sentiment readily spoke about the overall outlook of a team seeking to redeem itself in the 25th edition of the biennial meet that kicks off next week in Laos.
Claiming unfair officiating did them in, the nationals settled for just a single gold, courtesy of Annie Albania, and 12 silver medals during the last staging of the SEA Games in Thailand two years ago.
But now faced with a new ballgame, the boxing team vows to go all-out this time.
“Yung gold paglalabanan pa lang, pero kukunin namin `yun at hindi ibibigay sa kalaban," assured women’s team coach Boy Catolico.
Albania and Tipon were with Catolico, men’s team coach Pat Gaspi, veterans Harry Tañamor and Mitchel Martinez and SEA Games newcomer Charlie Suarez in the forum.
Others comprising the team are Alice Kate Aparri and Josie Gabuco in the distaff side and Bill Vicera and Joegin Ladon in the men’s squad.
Of the lot, all eyes are expected on Albania, not only because she’s gunning for a third straight gold in the SEA Games, but the former University of the East stalwart is also coming off a gold medal showing in the recent Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam.
Flag-bearer
That lone gold by Albania in the 3rd edition of the Indoor meet made her the hands-down choice as the country’s official flag bearer during SEA Games opening rites.
“Ako nga rin po nagulat sa pagkakapili ko(as flag bearer)," said the pride of Banga, South Cotabato. “Asahan ninyo pong gagawin namin ang lahat para maiuwi ang gintong medalya."
Expected to crowd out the Filipinos for the boxing gold medals are perennial rival Thailand, although Malaysia and Indonesia also loom as big threats.
“Hindi natin winawalang bahala `yung iba pa, tulad ng Malaysia and Indonesia. Even `yung host country (Laos) sigurado magpupumilit iyan," Gaspi said.
“Pero Thailand pa rin ang pinakamabigat natin na kalaban."
The boxing team will be leaving for Laos on Dec. 6, although competitions won’t start until the 11th for men and 12th for women.
On the 10th, the weigh-in and drawing of lots will be held.
“Doon pa lang tayo magkakaroon ng idea kung sino ang mga makakalaban natin," Gaspi said.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
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