Filipino boxers advanced to the round of 16 in the Asian Games following victories in fiveweight divisions to keep the country's hopes for a gold medal alive.

 

Mark Anthony Barriga, who competed in the London Olympics in 2012, won via split decision against Hussin Al Masri of Syria on Thursday.

 

Earlier, Ian Clark Bautista opened the day with a victory for the Filipino boxers after beating Jordan's Abdallah Maher Mohammad Shamon via unanimous decision in the men's flyweight.

 

Wilfredo Lopez also exerted the Pinoy's dominance in the men's middleweight division with a split decision win over Achilov Aziz of Tukrmenistan.

 

On Wednesday, meanwhile, Mario Fernandez won via unanimous decision against Douchai Thathi of Thailand in the men's bantamweight division.

 

Men's lightweight contender Charly Suarez also defeated Abduraimov Elnur via split decision to advance to the next round.

 

Meanwhile, Dennis Galvan failed to advance to the round of 16, losing to Mongolia's Chinzorig Baatarsukh in the men's light welterweight via unanimous decision on Thursday.

 

The Filipino boxers are hoping to eclipse their three-medal performance in the 2010 Asian Games in China, where they bagged one gold, one silver, and bronze.

 

Boxing is one of the Philippines' strongest performing sports in the Asian Games, hauling a total of 15 gold, eight silver, and 25 bronze medals since the country began competing in the Asiad in 1951. — JST, GMA News