THE Philippines didn’t win a medal on Wednesday in Day 11 of the 20th Asian Games, but that was compensated by victories of Carlo Paalam and Alex Eala that made sure they’ll have one in the next few days in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Paalam will fight for the gold, and gained a chance to end a 16-year wait for the Philippines in boxing, after beating two-time world champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan via split decision in the men’s 55kg division.
READ: Carlo Paalam rallies to beat Kazakh foe, reach Asiad gold-medal match
Eala, meanwhile, won over Joanna Garland of Chinese Taipei, 7-5, 6-0, in the quarterfinals of the women’s singles, assuring the top-seed of a bronze medal in tennis.
Paalam will compete for the gold on Friday against hometown bet Rui Yamaguchi, where he could win the Philippines’ first Asiad gold in boxing since Rey Saludar in 2010.
Friday could also potentially be the day that Eala play for the gold in the women’s singles as well if she hurdles her semifinal opponent on Thursday against Wang Xiyu of China.
There won’t be a double gold, however, for Eala as she and Shaira Rivera lost in the women’s doubles second round against Jiang Xinyu and Yang Zhaoxuan of China, 7-5, 6-2.
The quest for medals resumes on Thursday where jiu-jitsu and poomsae will be on the schedule.
Kimberly Anne Custodio is one of the favored fighters in jiu-jitsu’s 48kg division, being a world champion but in a lighter weight category of 45kg.
Jesus Yape and Juliana Candelaria open taekwondo’s campaign in poomsae.
Meanwhile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang gold medal favorite SIBOL will be headed back to the country without a medal after being sent home by regional rival Indonesia in a stunning upset.
Danna Abad and Joshea Malazarte beat Hong Kong’s Chan Wing and Lau Hiu, 6-1, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3; and Jason Lapidus and Argil Canizares defeated Hong Kong’s Chau Kwan and Lo Lok, 6-2, 6-2, to advance to the quarterfinals in padel.
The PH Blu Girls rout Singapore, 10-0, in women’s softball to improve to 3-2.
In the medal tally, China already has 150 gold medals, 100 behind Japan with 50. South Korea has 24 followed by Uzbekistan with 16 and Thailand with 12.
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