Gabuco, Marcial advance to finals in SEA Games boxing

Veteran boxing stars Josie Gabuco and Eumir Marcial each advanced to the finals of the Southeast Asian Games after defeating separate foes on Friday.

In the women's light flyweight division semis, Gabuco won via unanimous decision against Vietnam's Thi Diem Kieu to advance. She has the chance to clinch her fifth SEA Games medal in the finals on Monday.

FULL COVERAGE: 30th Southeast Asian Games on GMA News Online

Marcial won in the men's middleweight semis as the referee stopped the contest just two minutes into the match against Malaysia's Che Azmi Mohd Aswan. The finals is also scheduled on Monday.

Carlo Paalam also punched his finals ticket in the men's light flyweight division, winning via unanimous decision against Malaysia's Muhamad Fuad Mohd Redzuan. 

Aira Villegas opened the day for Philippine boxing with a bronze medal after her gallant stand against Thailand's Techasuep Nilawan.  Nilawan will move up in the finals after winning via a split decision, 3-2.

Ian Clark Bautista had a close fight against Butdee Chatchai Decha in the men's bantamweight semis, but the judges decided to go with Thai boxer, 0-5. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/JST, GMA News