Philippine Boxer Violito Payla delivered the second gold 16 hours after
Antonio Gabica scored the breakthrough win in the all-Filipino 9-ball final as
Philippine delegation finally found its bearing heading into the last two days
of the 15th Asian Games, local media reported today.
The 27-year-old Payla dethroned an aging Songjit Jongjohor of Thailand with
an impressive 31-15 decision to claim the flyweight crown and fuel the country's
golden run so late in the Games, said a report by The Philippine Star daily.
The victory came after Gabica fashioned out an 11-7 win over compatriot
Jeffrey de Luna to bag the country's first gold after 11 days in the 9-ball
men's singles final.
"We are right on track of our goal and we will get the second gold after
Payla's inspiring win," said boxing president Manny Lopez, referring to Joan
Tipon's bid against South Korean Han Soon Chul for the bantam gold Wednesday.
With one gold, a sure silver (Tipon), and two bronzes, boxing has indeed
improved from its Busan stint with only a silver.
Going into the 12th day of the Games, the Philippines won two gold, five
silver and nine bronze medals, ranking 19th place in the medal
tally.