SINGAPORE SEA GAMES: A Gold That Didn't Feel Like it

Analysis: I'm as big a supporter of Philippine sports as anyone can get but because of my early training as a journalist, I also like to think that I'm objective (somewhat). And it's that training that forces me to say this: I'm not sure Cantancio deserved the gold medal.

SINGAPORE SEA GAMES: It's Raining Gold For Boxing!

5 gold medals, 3 silvers. That is our medal haul, after the smoke cleared in the gold medal matches of the SEA Games.

The gold winners included Josie Gabuco, Ian Clark Bautista,  Mario Fernandez, Junel Cantancio, and Eumir Marcial while our silver medalists were Nesthy Petecio, Irish Magno and Rogen Ladon. 

Analysis to some key fights after the jump.

SINGAPORE SEA GAMES: Cantancio Exacts Revenge Enroute to the Finals.

Analysis: Nothing spices up a boxing match more than history and bad blood...and the match between Thailand's Saylom Ardee and our very own Junel Cantancio had more than its share of bad blood and history. 2 years ago, when last they met, Ardee came away with the gold medal while Cantancio settled for the silver. Now, this bout was premature in that these two bitter foes were meeting at the semifinal stage instead of the gold medal match...but the stakes are much higher as the loser not only forgoes the gold medal but even the silver. So this match had the frenetic urgency that only desperate men can summon...and summon it they did. This was a fight that had long toe-to-toe exchanges mixed in with several takedowns (yes, for a round or so, it looked like a UFC fight instead of a boxing match) and the odd cheap shots thrown in for good measure. At the end of the day, Cantancio won but only by split decision, one that I actually agreed with. Cantancio did not win convincingly but Ardee was also the biggest stumbling block in Cantancio's quest for gold and getting past him was a great achievement by itself. Of course, now, Cantancio has no excuses not to win the gold medal.

Congratulations Junel Cantancio!

Video courtesy of Singapore Sports via Youtube.

SINGAPORE SEA GAMES: Cantancio wins easily via TKO

Analysis: Easily the most lopsided bout for Team Philippines so far. Junel Cantancio started taking Graciano Florindo de Jesus apart in the very first second and never let up. In fairness to the Timor Leste fighter, he tried to give as good as he got but Cantancio's speed and technique was just too much. Two cracking hits to the head with barely any hand defense was enough to seal the deal for the ref.

Congrats kabayan Junel Cantancio!

Video courtesy of Singapore Sports.