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Philippine delegation captures 2 golds
13/12/2006 16:52

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.



Xinhua News