Carlos Alvarez and Jean Claude Saclag have locked in Asian Games medals for the Philippines. Both Filipino MMA fighters won their quarterfinal bouts Sunday, September 20, in Japan. Now they are chasing a spot in the gold-medal match.

Saclag beat Saudi Arabia’s Saud Fawaz Almolhem, 3-0, in the men’s traditional 65kg division. Alvarez knocked out Indonesia’s Ananda Wahyu Setyo in the men’s traditional 77kg quarterfinals. Both are assured of at least bronze medals.

Carlos Alvarez Steps Up in Round 2 at Asian Games MMA

Alvarez’s quarterfinal started tight. The opening round was close, and he knew he had to press harder in the second.

Alvarez explained his approach. “O no’ng first round kasi medyo parang gano’n na lang kami sa points eh. Medyo parang dikit. Tabla oh. Kaya no’ng second round sabi ko kailangan kong tapusin ‘to para manalo.”

Alvarez said he drew strength from his family and his training sacrifices. “Inisip ko ‘yong mga inspirasyon mo pamilya ko. At lahat ng sacrifices ko ng training para lumaban dito.”

Asian Games MMA Semifinals: Saclag and Alvarez Chase Gold

Saclag meets Japan’s Daisuke Murayama, the host country’s fighter, in Monday’s semifinals. Alvarez faces Kazakhstan’s Yerkingali Burkutalin on Monday at 9:40 a.m. Manila time. The winners of both bouts move on to the gold-medal match.

Alvarez has only one day to rest before his semifinal. He said: “Rest lang kami mamaya ng mabuti at ayon sa mga masasakit na na parts ng katawan tapos ‘yon. Laban na.”

Alvarez also credited Saclag, who was already assured of a bronze. He said: “Oo na-inspire din ako kay Jean kasi siya ‘yong unang lumaban and siya din ‘yong unang nanalo sa ‘min and ‘yon. Sabi ko sa sarili ko ‘di puwedeng matalo ko dito.”

Alvarez admitted the pressure has eased a little. He said: “Ah at least nabawasan konti ‘yong pressure kasi may malaki pressure dito.”

His target, however, remains the same. He added: “At least ngayon may medal na tayong siguradong maiuuwi at ang goal namin talaga dito sa MMA is makuha ang gold medal. ‘yan po.”

Not every Filipino MMA fighter advanced Sunday. Gina Araos bowed out in the women’s modern 54kg quarterfinals, losing to Thailand’s Kanjutha Phattaraboonsorn. The women’s soft tennis team earlier gave the Philippines its first medal of the Games, a bronze.