Boxing will contribute at least eight medals to the Philippines' haul in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, after Thursday's matches at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jay Brian Baricuatro is the latest member of the national boxing team to get a guaranteed bronze, after a unanimous decision win over Vietnamese opponent Linh Punh Nguyen in the quarterfinals of the men's 48kg.
He joined Ofelia Magno in the semifinals, assuring them of at least a bronze-medal finish in their respective weight classes.
Also through to the semis after receiving byes were: Hergie Bacyadan, Riza Pasuit, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, Eumir Marcial, and Weljon Mindoro.
While the boxers are already assured of medals, the chief of their federation made it clear that they have a bigger goal.
"May (eight) na tayo na assured bronze. Of course, you want a better color 'di ba?" said Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) secretary general Marcus Manalo.
"Hindi naman okay na based on the draw lang 'yung medal. Obviously, we'll take that but their job is to get to the podium even higher," he added.
Others still vying for a spot in the final four are Mark Ashley Fajardo, Junmilardo Ogayre and Flint Jara.
Claudine Veloso, meanwhile, had a rough start to her SEAG boxing stint after dropping a tough 5-0 loss to Vo Ti Kim Anh in the women's 54kg class.
Bacyadan will have the first shot at advancing to the finals when she takes on defending champion and Thai bet Manikon Baison in the women's 70kg semifinals for an assured silver.