(UPDATED) At least two Filipino boxers will fight for gold medals in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games after winning their semifinal matches on Tuesday at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jay Bryan Baricuatro put together a dominant performance against Antonio Hau Da Silva of Timor Leste in the semifinals of the men's 48kg weight class.
Baricuatro, fighting for the first time in the SEA Games, had an aggressive start and forced a standing 8-count three times against his foe.
The referee waved off the match after the third count, handing the Filipino the quick win via RSC (referee stops contest).
"Nu'ng natamaan ako ng unang suntok niya, alam ko talagang may ilalamang 'yung lakas ko sa kanya so pri-nessure ko na agad. Nakita ko sa mata niya na nagdadalawang isip siya kung susuntok pa ba siya o hindi," said Baricuatro, who set the tone with a counter right that immediately wobbled his foe.
Baricuatro will be up against a Thai boxer, Thitiwat Phlongaurai, in the gold medal match.
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Also advancing to the final is Flint Jara, who shook off a slow start against Singapore's Ang Jin Yang in the men's 54kg weight class.
Jara found his range in the second round, where he also won a standing 8-count, en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Jara will also face a Thai boxer, Thanarat Saengphet, for the gold medal.
"Gagawan namin ng paraan. Maghahanap talaga kami ng butas against sa Thai boxer kasi maliban sa magaling sila, talagang malakas din 'yung judging nila eh. Kailangan ng mas convincing na panalo," said Jara.
Two Filipino boxers fell short on Tuesday, however, with Ofelia Magno and Riza Pasuit settling for bronze medals.
Magno lost a 4-1 split decision to Ngo Ngoc Linh Chi of Vietnam in the women’s 48-kilogram class while Pasuit succumbed to Thai bet Apisada Tantawa, 5-0, in the 60kg division.
"Siguro talo naman talaga ako, 'di ko rin masasabi na panalo ako. Nandiyan naman 'yung mga judge so kung ano 'yung nakita nila sa laban, siguro ginawa ko naman na 'yung best ko para manalo," said Pasuit.
"Madaming nagsasabi na bago pa umakyat na may result na 'yung laban pero hindi ko na iniisip iyon, laro pa rin tayo kasi pangit naman na sumurrender tayo nang hindi lumalaban," she added.
The Philippine boxing team now has five bronze medals. Aside from Magno and Pasuit, Hergie Bacyadan, Nesthy Petecio and Mark Ashley Fajardo also grabbed bronzes.
Three more boxers will see action on Wednesday, seeking to add to the Philippines haul: pro boxers Eumir Marcial and Weljon Mindoro, and Paris Olympics bronze medalist Aira Villegas.