Rio Olympics (Photo : Rio Olympics)
Fielding 13 athletes to Rio gives the Philippines only few chances of salvaging a place in the podium. But if there's one sports discipline where the Filipinos have the best opportunity of winning medal in this edition of the Summer Games, then that would be boxing - the very sport that gave this island country in the pacific the most medal haul than any discipline.
Charly Suarez (PHI) vs. Hakan Erşeker (QAT) at 5:00 a.m (5 a.m US EST)
First up in early Sunday double-header for the Philippines in Olympic boxing is lightweight Charlie Suarez. The first-time Olympian will be taking Qatar's Hakan Erşeker in the round-of-32.
Although Suarez is coming in as the favorite after securing a ticket in Rio by virtue of a TKO win over China's Jun Shan in the Asian Olympic qualifier, getting complacent should be the last thing on his mind against his mysterious foe from Qatar.
Suarez is a grungy veteran who possesses both the technical skills and means punch to end a match in different ways. Then again, Erseker shouldn't be discounted as well in this bout, knowing the fact that he to go through the same tough qualifying process as the Filipino.
Rogen Lagdon vs. Yurberjen Martinez at 10:00 a.m (10 p.m US EST)
Just before lunch in the Philippines, all eyes will be on the 22-year old Lagdon as he makes his Olympic debut against Yurberjen Martinez of Columbia in their light flyweight showdown.
Lagdon, also an Asian & Oceana Olympic qualifier silver medalist, needs to be cautious against his upcoming opponent, especially after Martinez's showing vs. home-crowd favorite Patrick Lourenço of Brazil.
The Columbian set a round-of-16 showdown with Suarez after dominating the Brazilian in three sets before a raucous crowd at the Riocentro in Brazil. If he truly wants to bag that elusive gold for the Philippines, Lagdon has to come up with an impressive performance against his tough Columbian opponent, sending a message for the rest of his foes in the light flyweight division.
Bouts featuring Suarez and Lagdon will be broadcasted on TV5, while Sports5.ph will provide live streaming of the ongoing Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
