MANILA -- While Aiba Women's World Boxing Championships 2019 gold medalist Nesthy Alcayde Petecio fights for gold on December 9, Rio Olympian Charly Suarez starts his 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games bid today, December 5, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) here.
Only two entries are entered in women's featherweight class (57 kilograms) -- Petecio and her arch-rival Nwe Ni Oo of Myanmar after the draw set Tuesday, December 3.
Both figured in a controversial championship match in the 27th SEA Games held in Myanmar in 2013 where Petecio, whose family resided in Davao City for eight years before returning to hometown Barangay Tuban in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, absorbed a heartbreaking decision loss and settled for silver instead.
The 27-year-old Petecio, who also copped a silver in the 28th SEA Games 2015 in Singapore, then claimed that she was robbed off that gold in Myanmar.
Her coach Nolito Velasco said they cannot be complacent with Nwe Ni Oo.
"Hindi pa natin masabi po yan (na sure na sa gold si Nesthy). Nag-prepare din po yan (Oo) para dito sa SEA Games. Antayin lang po natin ang laro (We can't be certain about Petecio winning the gold. The Myanmar boxer also prepared for this SEA Games. Let's just wait for the bout)," Velasco told SunStar Davao Wednesday morning, December 4.
Meanwhile, Suarez of Barangay Sawata in Davao del Norte collides with Myanmar's Min Arkar Paing in their men's lightweight (60 kg) quarterfinals clash.
Saurez said he is unfamiliar with the boxers in the draw. It would be his first time to face Min Arkar Paing.
"Wala ko makaila sa ilaha (I don't know any of them)," he said.
Regardless of who he fights with, Suarez added, "By God's grace ready na po."
The Incheon Asian Games silver medalist Suarez has so far annexed three SEA Games golds and one bronze.
He turned professional after his 2017 SEA Games bronze finish but was later invited to play for the country anew in this year's edition of the biennial meet.