FORMER Davao City standout Nesthy Alcayde Petecio was feted as Best Female Fighter in the recently-concluded 19th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Awards at Okada Manila Grand Ballroom.
Petecio, 26, who hails from Tuban in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, was cited for capturing the gold medal for the Philippines in the 1st Indian Open International Boxing Tournament held in February 2018.
“Wala jud ko nag-expect kay sa PSA Award wala man ko nakaapil so what more pa sa Elorde Awards (I did not expect the award since I was not even included in the PSA Awards so what’s more in the Elorde Awards),” she said in a Facebook interview.
The Baguio City-based national boxing team mainstay added, “Thanks to God og sa Elorde family kay ilaha gi-recognize ako mga achievements last year bisan wala ko naka-medal sa Asian Games (I thank God and the Elorde family for recognizing my achievements last year even if I did not win a medal in the Asian Games).”
She also pocketed golds in the 2nd Kapolri Cup Boxing Tournament Open in Manado, Indonesia, on July 9, 2018, in 10th International Boxing Tournament in Honor of Konstantin Korotkov in Russia in May 2018 and in XXXV International Felis Stamm Tournament for Elite Men and Women in Warsaw, Poland in March.
Petecio continue to train under veteran coach Nolito Velasco and is expected to compete in other exposure tournaments abroad in preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the Philippines will host on November 30 to December 11.