By Joseph Pedrajas
Carlo Paalam and Rogen Ladon led the way in the Philippine boxing team’s assault of the gold medals Monday in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the PICC Forum.
Rogen Ladon celebrates after beating Ammarit Yaodam of Thailand in the flyweight final of boxing competition in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the PICC Forum, Dec. 9, 2019. (MB Photo / Ali Vicoy)
Carlo Paalam celebrates after defeating Indonesian Kornelis Kwangu Langu in the light flyweight final of boxing competition in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the PICC Forum, Dec. 9, 2019. (MB Photo / Ali Vicoy)
Paalam defeated Indonesian Kornelis Kwangu Langu 29-28, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 in the light flyweight final, while Ladon outclassed Ammarit Yaodam of Thailand 30-25, 30-27, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27 in the flyweight gold medal bout.
“May galing talaga siya, may lakas,” Paalam said. “Utak talaga ginamit ko, bilis na lang saka talino sa lubid.”.
Ladon said he put all his mindset into beating a longtime nemesis.
“First round pa lang nag-focus talaga ako dahil hindi basta-basta yung kalaban,” said the 26-year-old Ladon. “Yun ang mortal enemy ng Pilipinas, malakas ang Thailand. Pinalabas ko lang ang laro ko, saka sabi ko last na ito. Wala na akong iisipin pa.”
Meanwhile, Irish Magno bowed to Vietnamese Thi Tam Nguyen via majority decision 4-1 in the women’s 51-kg bout to settle for silver.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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