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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider ABAP exec optimistic PH boxers can deliver in SEAG

ABAP exec optimistic PH boxers can deliver in SEAG

Published Dec 1, 2025 11:51 am  |  Updated Dec 1, 2025 01:37 pm

At A Glance

  • The Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo is optimistic that Filipino boxers can deliver medals although he's also tempering expectations ahead of the in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo is optimistic that Filipino boxers can deliver medals although he’s also tempering expectations ahead of the in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The ABAP executive is confident that the country is sending a competitive team that features a mix of experience with the inclusion of Olympians and pro boxers and grit and hunger with the young budding talents in the pool.
“I feel like we're sending a strong team. Exciting dahil half of the team are first timers in the SEA games. So mas uhaw yung ibang boxers. Then our Olympians are gonna be there also,” said Manalo, who attended the SEA Games official send-off at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last weekend.
Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas as well as fellow Olympian Hergie Bacyadan will be installed as the country’s best medal bets in the women’s boxing while pros Eumir Marcial and Weljon Mindoro are the favorites on the men’s side.
But more than the veterans, Manalo is more excited how the first timers would perform in the SEAG stage. He said guys like Marvin Tabamo, Flint Jara and Jay Brian Baricuatro are worth keeping an eye on.
“Confident naman with the entire team. Siguro mas exciting yung mga bago. Kasi alam mo na they're really looking forward to this opportunity kaya sila yung mas inaabangan,” said Manalo.
“Excited ako every time merong bagong pangalan na makikilala sa boxing. Kasi I feel like, siyempre, yung mga Nesthy Petecio, yung Eumir Marcial. Sila na yung mga kilala na natin. Yung iba, excited ako na mabigyan ng opportunity,” he added.
Manalo, however, wouldn’t dare to give a medal forecast especially playing against Thailand on its home turf. He’s hopeful that the team would surpass the four-gold haul from last edition.
“Hirap magbigay ng number talaga. Last year we got 4 gold. Ngayon we have 13 boxers.
Sana naman makatapat or makalampas,” said Manalo
“But then again, pag sa Thailand yan, if you're against Thailand, you have to make it as convincing as possible. So yun naman ang kailangan natin,” he added.
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