Junmilardo Ogayre took Mongolia’s best shot and somehow still had enough left to walk away with the win. The Filipino boxer weathered a standing eight-count in the final round to escape Nishio City with a gritty 3-2 split decision over Gantumur Lundaa on Wednesday.

The win came a day after Paris Olympian Aira Villegas dropped her opener in the women’s 51-kilogram class. Ogayre’s victory steadied a Philippine boxing team looking to shake off that early setback.

Ogayre, 27, advanced to the next round of the men’s 60-kilogram division, where he will face Nepal’s Roka Magar. The bout was held at Nishio Gymnasium in Nishio City, roughly 50 kilometers south of Nagoya.

Ogayre Weathers Late Storm to Survive Standing Eight-Count

Lundaa pressed from the opening bell, crowding Ogayre and pinning him to the ropes for long stretches. Ogayre answered with jabs and clean inside shots, taking the first two rounds on four of five judges’ cards.

That cushion proved crucial. Lundaa kept coming forward in the third round and forced the referee to issue a standing eight-count against the Filipino boxer.

The Mongolian ultimately took the final round, 10-9, on all five scorecards. Still, Ogayre held on to secure the split decision for Team Philippines, backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission.

Judges from Guatemala, Bulgaria, and Argentina scored the bout in Ogayre’s favor, while judges from Uzbekistan and Mauritius sided with Lundaa.

PH Boxing Team Looks to Olympic Medalists for Next Push

The win moved the Philippine boxing team’s record to 2-1 in Nagoya. Norlan Petecio delivered the team’s first victory before Villegas fell in her opening bout in the women’s 51kg division.

Several of the country’s biggest names have yet to step into the ring. Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio in the women’s 60kg class and Carlo Paalam in the men’s 55kg class are both scheduled to compete in the coming days.

Riza Pasuit, who fights in the women’s 54kg division, also has her bout still ahead. Their results will go a long way in determining how far the Philippine boxing team advances in the tournament.