SUBIC — Five Filipino fighters will get a crack at gold in the final day of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Muaythai competition.
Phillip Delarmino, Islay Bomogao, Ryan Jakiri, Jenelyn Olsim, and Ariel Lampacan dispatched their respective opponents in the semifinals of their respective tournaments, Saturday at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center here.
Of the five, Jakiri, the bronze medalist in the 63.5-kilogram division of the 2017 Games, was the most dominant.
The 27-year-old easily disposed of Indonesia’s Irvan Aji Putra, resulting in a stoppage right in the very first round.
Meanwhile, Islay Bomogao (women’s 45kg) and Ariel Lee Lampacan (men’s 54) needed strong third round performances to escape with unanimous decision wins over Indonesia’s Irsalina and Cambodia’s Vaouern Vann, respectively.
Olsim and Delarmino, on the other hand, put on a masterclass in the semis of the women’s 54kg and 57kg, respectively. Olsim blasted Malaysia’s Nur Amisha Azrilrizal, while Delarmino had his way against Laos’ Kay Ketnouvong en route to 30-27 decisions.
Filipino’s Alexis Mayag As and Kim Robert Miranda were unable to make it to the championship round, though. Mayag As suffered a unanimous decision loss to Malaysia’s Rosli Zulhilmi in the men’s 48kg semis; meanwhile, Miranda threw the towel in the men’s 45kg final four against Malaysia’s Mohammad Masdor after just a round.
Bomogao faces Thailand’s Katmanee Chasing; Jakiri takes on Thailand’s Norapat Khundam; Olsim squares off against Vietnam’s Yen Ly Bui; Delarmino fights Vietnam’s Doan Long Nguyen; and Lampacan goes up against Thailand’s Chamchit Sakshai in the finale.
In other gold matches, Zulhilmi and Masdor will face off against Thailand’s Naruephon Chittra and Laos’ Soulixay Singsavath, respectively.
The opening fight happens at 3:00 pm on Sunday.
