SEA Games: Suarez, Galvan face off vs Indonesian foes in gold-medal bouts

PALEMBANG—Charly Suarez and Dennis Galvan gun for gold medals in boxing, but to do so, they must either knock their opponents down or connect as many punches as possible. Why? Because they will be up against Indonesians in their respective final bouts on Monday evening—Suarez against Matius Mandiangan in the 60 kgs category and Galvan against Afdan Bachtila in the light welterweight division. "Hindi puwedeng pa-pitik-pitik lang dahil baka pumasok ang referees at judges sa picture," said head coach Pat Gaspi. "Kaya kung hindi puwedeng i-knock out, kailangang very convincing ang mga panalo." Gaspi tasked women’s pinweight Josie Gabuco and light-flyweight Alice Kate Aparri to employ such strategy in their finals Saturday night against Indons. It worked and they retained their gold medals. Both Suarez and Galvan, actually, are also unfamiliar with their foes on Monday night at the Kampus Indoor Basket Hall—except for what the Indonesians had displayed in their earlier fights in these Games. But they are determined to snatch the gold medals in the final bouts. "Gagawin namin ang lahat para sa bayan," they said. Thailand has the most number of finalists with five. There are nine gold medals staked in the men’s contest and Vietnam is vying for four of them. "Basta magtiwala sa tulong ng Poong Maykapal, ibigay ang best, dalhin pati ang mga natutunan mula pa sa training, walang imposible," said Suarez, who reached the finals rather the hard way— posting a close 11-9 victory over Thai Ardee Saylom Saturday. Galvan had the luck of the draw and saw himself fighting directly in the semifinals where he beat Azmi Khirakyazlan of Malaysia, 12-1, on Thursday. - GMA News