CARLO Paalam lost in the battle for the gold medal in the 20th Asian Games after suffering a split decision against Rui Yamaguchi of Japan on Friday at the Nishio gymnasium.
The 28-year-old Filipino lost by split decision, 3-2, in the men's 55kg class and bagged Philippine boxing's lone medal - a silver - in the continental showcase.
The loss however, extended the country's gold medal drought in Asiad. Rey Saludar was the last Filipino to win it all in the 2010 edition held in Guangzhou, China.
Paalam found himself in deep hole early in the fight, losing the opening round against the Japanese fighter, 4-1.
The Tokyo Olympic silver medalist went all out in the third and final round, gaining the nod of all five judges, but still fell short when the final tally was made.
Yamaguchi won the bout, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, while Paalam earned the nod of the two other judges, 29-28 and 30-27.
Paalam said he went all out for the gold, but felt the decision didn't get in his way.
"Gawin ko yung best ko, pilit na lang yung last round kasi kukunin ko na yung last round—wala na po eh, ubos-ubos na talaga," Paalam said from Nagoya.
"Nandoon naman lahat yung improvement ko eh, yung sabi ko nga, 'di namin hawak yung desisyon: kahit anong pilit mo manalo ka, kung judges talaga gagawa sa'yo ng paraan, wala ring silbi," he added.
The silver medal finish nonetheless, surpassed Paalam's bronze medal finish in the 2018 Asiad in Jakarta, Palembang.
"Hindi maganda, pero okay lang po, move forward po tayo. Gawin pa rin yung best po, training pa rin, tsaka pahinga muna," he said.
The runner up finish also equalled the similar silver medal of Team Philippines in 2022 Hangzhou Asiad courtesy of Eumir Marcial.
Aside from Paalam, the Philippine boxing team was composed of Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, Norlan Petecio, Junmilardo Ogayre, and Rissa Pasuit.
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