PARIS – Aira Villegas is no ordinary rookie of the Philippine boxing team that even her coach of six years – Reynaldo Galido – never doubted her ability to rise above all kinds of adversities.

“Walang sinisino, laban lang,” said Galido. “Parang hindi rookie, buo ang loob.”

Little wonder, the pride of Tacloban hacked out a unanimous decision over Moroccan Yasmine Mouttaki in the round-of-32 of the women’s 50kg class in the Paris Olympics at the North Paris Arena late Sunday, July 28.

Since Galido took Villegas under his wings, he knows Villegas will have a bright future although the deadly southpaw almost dropped out of the national team after getting what she termed as “rude welcome” from the seniors.

But she persevered through the help and guidance of the Athens Games veteran. 

That virtue – along with her courage and ring savvy – was the key to make her Olympic debut – three days before she turns 29 – worth remembering.

More importantly, it gave the fancied PH boxing team the momentum as Tokyo Games medalists Nesthy Petecio (silver) and Eumir Marcial sees action on Tuesday, July 30 also at the same venue.

Mouttaki was no ordinary fighter, too.

She was a bronze medal winner in the World Championship last year and also a veteran of the Tokyo Games fighting in a lower weight division.

“Sobrang saya ako dahil first-timer ako at nanalo agad,” said Villegas while tears of joy and appreciation started to roll down her face.

“Si coach Rey kasi siya talaga nagbibigay ng boost sa akin, kahit kanina siya yung sigaw ng sigaw, sila ni Marcial (Eumir),” added Villegas.

It was also Galido who plotted their winning formula.

“Pinagaralan naming ng husto ang laro nya kaya alam naming kung ano ang gagawin sa oras ng peligro,” said Villegas.

That was evident in the second round that saw her become icy cold after an impressive start that saw her unleash several whistling shots to the head and body of her rival.

Using her longer reach to full advantage, Villegas managed to parry her rival’s last-ditch effort to turn things around in the third.

Instead, it was Villegas who managed to land some good shots during the final stretch of a furious exchange, good enough to earn her a 5-0 win and a date with No. 2 seed Roumaysa Boualam of Algeria in the round-of-16. 

Their much-awaited match is on Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. (2 a.m. Manila time).

Villegas’ win also saved Team PH from a disastrous day although Joanie Delgaco rowed her way to the quarterfinals of the women’s single sculls early in the day.

But it was downhill after that for Team PH as fencers absorbed a heart-breaking 15-13 defeat to six-time world champion Arianne Errigo of Italy.

But it was one gallant performance for Catantan considering the Italian’s impressive resume – not to mention a knee injury she suffered in beating Brazilian Brazilian Mariana Pistoia.

Fil-Am gymnasts Levi Ruivivar, Emma Malabuyo, and Aleah Finnegan followed Catanatan to the exit after bombing out of the women’s artistic gymnastics – all became instant fans of American sensation Simone Biles.