Jay Brian Baricuatro fought with courage and intensity on Friday, December 19, at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center in Bangkok. The young Filipino boxer gave his all in the men’s 48-kg final but fell 1-4 to Thailand’s Thitiwat Phlongauri, leaving him with a hard-earned silver medal.

Baricuatro landed sharp punches throughout the match, forcing the Thai contender to defend continuously. His effort reflected determination and grit, though the scoring ultimately favored Phlongauri.

Scoring controversy and final rounds

The opening round saw Baricuatro trailing 3-2, despite several clean hits that could have given him the lead. In the second round, Phlongauri extended his advantage with well-timed counters while Baricuatro pressed forward, attempting to close the gap with relentless hooks and a powerful right hand.

In the final round, Baricuatro continued his offensive surge, visibly challenging the Thai boxer. Even with solid hits and strategic attacks, the late push could not sway the judges, securing gold for Phlongauri.

Philippine boxing team reflects on performance

The silver medal adds to the Philippines’ growing success in the SEA Games boxing competition. Baricuatro’s performance, coupled with Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas’ earlier silver, demonstrates the resilience and depth of the Filipino boxing squad.

The young pugilist’s determination is expected to inspire future campaigns and bolster the country’s prospects in upcoming regional competitions.