Flyweight boxer Payla earns 2nd gold for RP at Doha

Violito Payla won the Philippine's second gold medal Tuesday night in flyweight boxing at the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. Joan Tipon, meanwhile, will try to get another medal against Soon Chul Han of Korea in the bantamweight division. Tipon is expected to win against Soon after defeating defending champion Worapoj Petchkoom in the semifinals Monday night. "Gagawin ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko upang mabigyan ng karangalan ang Pilipinas (I will do everything I can to give honor to the Philippines)," Tipon said in a press release issued by the office Manny Lopez, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP). Payla defeated Thailand's Somjit Jongjohor of Thailand, 31-15, in their fourth encounter in the international competition to give the Philippines its first gold medal since the 1994 Hiroshima edition of the Games. "Salamat sa mga sumuporta sa akin. Natupad din ang pangarap nating makakuha ng gintong medalya (Thanks to all who supported me. We finally achieved our dream to get a gold medal)," Payla said after the match in an interview by government station NBN. Two other Filipino boxers — Godfrey Castro and Genebert Basadre — bowed in the flyweight and lightweight semifinals to bring home bronze medals. The other gold medal was won by pool player Antonio Gabica who with Jeff De Luna posted a 1-2 finish for the Philippines. Gabica won, 11-7, in the 9-ball finals. The Filipinos now have two gold, four silver, and seven bronze medals in the quadrennial event. - GMANews.TV