CITING a disturbing trend of bum decisions, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) chairman Ricky Vargas has demanded an explanation from Southeast Asian Games organizers regarding the 'controversial' judging in boxing.
Vargas pointed out that the first six days of competition seemed skewed, resulting in nine Thai boxers reaching the finals.
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“I am more than irritated and disappointed, kami ni (ABAP secretary-general) Marcus (Manalo), we have put our disappointments in writing,” said Vargas, who is also the concurrent president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
“Napakahirap eh. It’s so difficult to go beyond the unfairness. But again, it depends on them. It’s with them.” Vargas added the letter to the Thailand SEA Games Organizing Committee was the first thing he did upon arriving in Bangkok Monday.
One the complaints centered on the controversial loss of Hergie Bacyadan to Baison Manikon in the women's 70kg class, where the Olympian was given a standing eight count and a deduction after the bout remained tied after two rounds.
As for multi-titled Nesthy Petecio's loss to Indonesian Hasanah Huswatan, Manalo claimed the latter didn't do much against the Olympic medalist's clearer punches yet ended up winning the last round 1-4 and the match, 3-2.
Other questionable results included defeats for Riza Pasuit, Ian Clark Bautista, Junmilardo Ogayre and Mark Ashley Fajardo to Thai opponents.
For now, Vargas can only encourage Filipino fighters to ‘fight beyond unfairness' especially since most of the remaining Filipino fighters will likely face Thais in the gold-medal matches.
“Hopefully, we would be able to come out well kasi ang kalaban nila sa finals eh taga-Thailand. And after these fights (in the semis of Filipinos), lahat halos ng makakalaban nila eh taga Thailand,” he said.
“So, we really need to do something drastic to be able to get the gold,” Vargas stressed.
In the gold-medal matches set on Friday, hard-hitting Jay Bryan Baricuatro will face Thitiwat Phlongaurai in the men -48 kgs and Jara Flint is pitted against Thanarat Saengpet in the -54 kgs.
On the last day of the preliminaries on Wednesday, Olympian Eumir Felix Marcial and pro fighter Weljon Mindoro are also expected to face home bets.
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