The Philippine boxing team to the 2015 Southeast Asian Games is hurting.
Three weeks before they plunge into action, a key member of the ten-member squad is nursing an injury and it might cost his chances of fighting for a medal during the June 6 to 16 sportsfest.
Junel Cantancio, who fills the void left by top bet Charly Suarez in the lightweight class, sustained a cut on his right eyebrow during the recent President’s Cup in Indonesia, according to Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines executive director Ed Picson.
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| photo (c) ABAP |
“Doctors are monitoring and checking the healing process,” said Picson yesterday.
Cantancio, 28, was called in to replace Suarez, who is committed to perform in the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB), a qualifying event for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Cantancio was named to the team alongside 21-year-old Rogen Ladon, who was tapped in the absence of Mark Anthony Barriga, who, like Suarez, is focused on winning a berth to the Olympics via the APB.
The distaff side is composed of defending champion Josie Gabuco, Irish Magno, Riza Pasulit and Nesthy Petecio.
Compared to Barriga and Suarez, who are solid gold medal bets, the credentials of Ladon and Cantancio pale in comparison.
But Picson believes the two are equally as talented and is upbeat Ladon and Cantancio will deliver.
Meanwhile, chief of mission Julian Camacho said the main bulk of athletes and officials leaving for Singapore will be on June 4.
The Philippine delegation will have 472 athletes and 136 officials and they will vie in 34 out of 36 sports on tap.
The host will dangle 402 gold medals with Thailand favored to take the overall crown and Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore battling for the next spots.
