OLYMPIAN Carlo Paalam survived a game Zhang Jiamao of China by the skin of his teeth, 3-2, to assure the Philippine boxing team of a podium finish in the 20th Asian Games on Monday in Nagoya, Japan.
The 28-year-old Filipino took the early initiative by scoring through effective combinations and jabs to counter Zhang’s advantage in height and reach before surviving a last-ditch effort by the Chinese ito escape with a split decision win in the men’s 55 kg class.
READ Petecio's bid for first-ever Asiad medal ended by Chinese foe
The Tokyo Olympics medalist won by scores of 29-28 in three of the judges’ scorecards, while the two others had it for Zhang, 30-27, 29-28 at the end of the fiercely fought match at the Nishio gymnasium.
The win meant a sure bronze for the Philippine squad in which Paalam remains as the lone surviving fighter following the exit of fellow Olympian Nesthy Petecio earlier in the women’s 60kg class against Yang Chengyu of China, whose coach is former Philippine team mentor Raul Liranza.
Paalam will next face Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan, the 2025 world champion, in the men’s 55kg semifinal set on Wednesday.
The Filipino won an Asiad bronze during the 2018 edition in Palembang, Jakarta.
Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Marcus Manalo praised Paalam’s performance, saying the Filipino boxer set the tone early and did enough to secure his place in the medal round.
“He was able to set the tone and essentially finished the bout after two rounds. The last round he just have to maintain the lead na lang. Very proud of his performance at ngayong naka-apak na siya sa medal round, i’m sure he’s more motivated na ituloy-tuloy pa.”
Aside from Petecio, also waylaid in the sidelines are Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas, Rissa Pasuit, Norlan Petercio, and Junmilardo Ogayre
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
