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Source: gmanews.tv

-- The RP women’s boxing team hurdled its toughest test yet as it sent two more bets into the gold medal round of the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos Monday.

Reigning Asian champion Annie Albania and Alice Kate Aparri both advanced to the final of their respective events by turning back their Thai opponents in the semifinals at the Olympasia gymnasium inside the National University.

Albania repeated over Sopida Satumrum, 6-4, in a rematch of their flyweight final in the recent Asian Indoor Games, while Aparri edged out Dueannapha Ngamlam, 2-2 (winner by countback) in a tightly-fought contest in the 48-kg class.

Not as fortunate was former Asian champion Mitchel Martinez, who suffered a 7-4 loss at the hands of Thai Peamwilai Laopeam in the 57-kg division.

“Masayang-masaya po, para kaming nabunutan ng tinik," said the 27-year-old Albania, lone gold medal winner in boxing for Team Philippines during the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand.

“Pero hindi pa rin po tayo dapat mag-kumpiyansa. Hindi pa rin dapat maging kampante. Maging focused pa rin at alerto," added the silver medal winner in the 2008 World Boxing Championship in China.

Albania and Aparri now join Josie Gabuco in the hunt for the gold set on Dec. 16.

Gabuco is up against Nguyen Thi Hoa of Vietnam in the pinweight final, Aparri takes on Milvady of Laos (15-8 winner over Selly Wanimbo of Indonesia), while Albania meets Indonesian Indri Sambaimana (3-0 winner against Somphone of Laos).

“We’re happy we made it 3-of-4 in women’s boxing, although we could have been happier if Mitchel also won. But you can’t win them all," said Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson.

For male pugs seek finals

Meanwhile, four bets in the men’s team also seek a berth in the gold medal round Tuesday when they see action in the semifinals.

Bill Vicera takes on Cambodian Ven Diaman (45 kg), Rey Saludar slugs it out with Xayyaphone of Laos (51 kg), Charly Suarez fights Wuttichai Masuk of Thailand (57 kg) and Joegin Ladon campaigns against Vilasak of Laos (64 kg).

Already in the final is veteran Harry Tañamor who will be up against Kaeo Pongprayoon of Thailand for the gold in the 48 kg. class.