BAGO City-native Rogen Ladon and Cagayan de Oro's Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial will face different opponents in today's semifinals for the chance to make it into the gold medal matches in the ongoing Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Ladon, a 2016 Rio Olympian, was the first to punch his ticket to the semis and guarantee himself of at least a bronze medal with a split decision victory in the men's flyweight category against Azat Mahmetov of Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals.
The Negrense pride came out with combinations to convince the three judges to favor him, 29-28, while the other two favored Mahmetov via the same score.
Ladon will face Thailand's Yuttapong Tongdee in the semifinals today at 3:15 p.m. (Manila time).
Paalam gave the Philippines another assured bronze in the light flyweight when he defeated Zhussupov of Kazakhstan via split decision.
After three action-packed rounds, Paalam was declared the winner via split decision. Three judges scored a shut-out for Paalam, 30-27, while one had it 29-28 while an Iranian favored Zhussupov, 29-28.
Marcial also advanced to the semis after beating Korean Kim Jinjea in the middleweight. (HGD)