Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 16 Dec 2025
Ricky Vargas.
ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas said yesterday he’s disappointed about officiating and scoring in boxing at the ongoing SEA Games in Bangkok but advised the Philippine team fighters still in contention for gold to stay aggressive and focus on getting the job done in the ring.
Vargas arrived in Bangkok last night and will stay until the end of the boxing finals on Friday to return home the next day. “I spoke to (ABAP secretary-general) Marcus (Manalo) on glaringly poor officiating,” said Vargas. “I've even elevated my disappointment to (POC president) Bambol (Tolentino). I told Marcus the unfairness will be there but we should take it out of our minds and fight as hard as we can as that’s the only way to win.”
Vargas added that to defy the odds, staying aggressive is the key. “SEA Games have been a disappointment so far for boxing as we’ve been robbed of victories,” he said. In particular, two-time Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio’s 3-2 loss to Indonesia’s Hasanah Huswatun in the women’s lightwelterweight 63kg semifinals was controversial. Another doubtful outcome was Thai Baison Manikon’s shutout decision over Olympian Hergie Bacyadan in the women’s lightmiddlweight 70kg semifinals.
“Huswatun didn’t do much in the last round and Nesthy landed clearer punches but ended up losing the round, 1-4 and the fight,” said Manalo. “Hergie was given a standing eight-count and a deduction in the last round, both questionable and the fight was tied after two rounds. The Thailand Boxing Association is supervising the fights as the local organizing committee and officials are from Asian Boxing which is under World Boxing. The technical delegate, technical officials and referee-judges should be certified by WB. Maybe, there are a few exceptions.”
It’s a full load for ABAP boxers today as four fighters see action in the semifinals. Riza Pasuit faces Thai Apisada Tantawa in women’s lightweight 60kg. Jay Bryan Baricuatro engages Timor Leste’s Antonio Nicolau Hau da Silva in men’s lightlfyweight 48kg. Flint Jara battles Singapore’s Ang Jin Yang in men’s bantamweight 54kg. Ofelia Magno takes on Vietnam’s Ngo Ngoc Linh Chi in women’s 48kg. The semifinal losers will settle for a bronze while the winners advance to the final.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 26 Jan 2026Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
Mon, 26 Jan 2026Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 24 Jan 2026MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 24 Jan 2026Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Sat, 24 Jan 2026Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 24 Jan 2026NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 24 Jan 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
Sat, 24 Jan 2026Donaire back in Cebu
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 23 Jan 2026MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 23 Jan 2026Four Pinoys in line for title shots
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 23 Jan 2026After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 23 Jan 2026