BANGKOK — Filipino boxers finally broke through the semifinal barrier as Jay Brian Baricuatro and Flint Jara advanced to the gold-medal matches of their respective divisions at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

Both fighters, cheered on by the Filipino crowd including members of the Gilas Pilipinas women’s squad, delivered commanding performances that secured at least silver for the Philippine boxing team.

Baricuatro scored a first-round stoppage over Timor Leste’s Antonio da Silva in the men’s 48-kilogram division. Jara defeated Singapore’s Ang Jin Yang in the 54kg class via a unanimous 5-0 decision.

Baricuatro and Jara shine in semis

Baricuatro wasted no time asserting his dominance. A pair of hooks, following an earlier counter right, prompted the referee to stop the fight with five seconds left in the opening round.

“Nu’ng natamaan ako ng unang suntok niya, alam ko talagang may ilalamang ‘yung lakas ko sa kanya so pri-nessure ko na agad. Nakita ko sa mata niya na nagdadalawang isip siya kung susuntok pa ba siya o hindi,” said Baricuatro after the fight.

Jara, meanwhile, slugged it out in the first round before landing a right straight that led to a standing eight count. Despite a previous cut, the 23-year-old continued his onslaught to win the bout.

Gold-medal showdown awaits

With these victories, Baricuatro and Jara now face Thailand’s best in the gold-medal matches. Baricuatro will meet Phlongaurai Thitiwat, while Jara goes up against Saengphet Thanarat.

“Gagawan namin ng paraan. Maghahanap talaga kami ng butas against sa Thai boxer kasi maliban sa magaling sila, talagang malakas din ‘yung judging nila eh. Kailangan ng mas convincing na panalo,” said Jara.

Earlier in the day, Ofelia Magno and Riza Pasuit bowed out in the semifinals. Magno lost 4-1 to Vietnam’s Ngo Ngoc Linh Chi in the women’s 48kg division, while Pasuit fell 5-0 to Thailand’s Apisada Tantawa in the 60kg class.