Petecio gives Philippines 4th medal in Paris Games

PARIS – Nesthy Petecio’s Paris odyssey ended in a tough call in the semifinals Wednesday at Stade Roland Garros.

Petecio didn’t get it, missing a second straight Olympic final and settling for a bronze being added to her silver from Tokyo in 2021.

“Sobrang labo, sobrang labo talaga,” said Petecio, not convinced she lost the fight to young Polish foe Julia Szeremeta.

“Wala siyang clear punch sa third round, ‘yung body shots ko, hook ko pumapasok, hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari,” said Petecio.

The judges saw otherwise, giving the 57-kg semis bout to Szeremeta at 4-1.

With another shot at the gold on the line, Petecio entered the arena determined to get it. First up atop the ring, Petecio prayed in her corner then launched her drive, taking the opening round at 5-0.

But it became a split when Szeremeta fought back and grabbed the second at 4-1, making the finale as the deciding round.

It became a veritable barroom brawl with Petecio indeed landing the clearer shots but with Szeremeta being the busier fighter, throwing more punches though not hitting the target.

Alas, all judges gave it to Szeremeta, a decision seen as highway robbery by many Filipino sports officials.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino didn’t hide his disgust. POC secretary general Wharton Chan disagreed with the judges and so did rowing chief Patrick Gregorio.

“Remnants of AIBA,” rued Tolentino, referring to the international boxing body expelled by the International Olympic Committee for governance, finance and corruption issues, among others.

“Akala ko akin, hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari,” said Petecio.

But with her semis finish, Petecio nonetheless made history as the first Philippine boxer to nail medals in back-to-back Olympics. She’s the fourth Filipino Olympian to win multiple medals, joining gymnast Carlos Yulo, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and swimmer Teófilo Yldefonso.

“We came with five boxers and going home with two Olympic bronze medals,” said Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) chairman Ricky Vargas, thanking the nation for the support.

“To Hergie (Bacyadan), Eumir (Marcial), Carlo (Paalam), Aira (Villegas) and Nesthy, our