Palace likes lefty Barriga's chances against Olympic foe

Malacañang on Saturday urged Philippine Olympic boxing bet Mark Anthony Barriga to “do his best” when he faces Birzhan Zhakypov of Kazakhstan in his quest for an Olympic medal Saturday night. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said many Filipinos will be behind Barriga, who she said has been given a good chance to win by boxing analysts. “Good luck and do your best we will be cheering for you,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. She said even foreign boxing analysts have given Barriga good chances of winning because he is a lefty like Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. Barriga won 17-7 over the taller Manuel Cappai of Italy last Tuesday, and will seek entry into the quarterfinals with Saturday’s match against Zhakypov. The 19-year-old is a native of Davao. “Maraming na-e-excite sa pagkakataon nating ito (Many Filipinos are excited over the prospect of him being our source of an Olympic medal),” Valte said. She also urged the boxer to stay focused. “Just keep your focus, tuloy-tuloy yan, we are cheering for you (Keep your focus, we are cheering for you),” she said. — LBG, GMA News