Paalam disappointed to go home empty-handed from first SEA Games | ABS-CBN

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Paalam disappointed to go home empty-handed from first SEA Games

Paalam disappointed to go home empty-handed from first SEA Games

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – There will be no sweep of the golds for the Philippine boxing team in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games after its youngest member, Carlo Paalam, lost in the quarterfinals of the 49-kg division at MiTEC on Monday afternoon here.

Paalam was competing against a Malaysian in Muhamad Fuad, and the hometown bet was buoyed by a passionate crowd.

Yet the 19-year-old from Cagayan de Oro gave all he could, overcoming Fuad's aggressive start and standing toe-to-toe with the Malaysian in a bout that featured several instances of both boxers sprawling to the canvas, tangled together.

The disappointment was clear on Paalam's face after the hometown boxer was announced as the winner. With his loss in the quarter-finals, he becomes the only member of the PH boxing team not to win a medal as all of his teammates are assured of at least a bronze.

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"Nanghihinayang po ako, kasi siyempre, first time ko maglaro (sa SEA Games) tapos wala akong medal," Paalam told ABS-CBN News on Tuesday morning.

"Binigay ko na 'yung lahat po," he also said. "Nilabas ko ang best ko, kasi first time ko maglaro."

Paalam believes that he did enough to merit the victory, but said he has no other choice but to accept the judges' decision.

"Hindi naman namin control ang desisyon po ng judges," he said.

"Iniisip ko na lang po na tatanggapin ko ang panalo at talo, kung ano po ang desisyon kasi hindi ko hawak ang desisyon," he added. "Tanggapin ko na lang po."

Still only 19 years old, Paalam showed plenty of promise and is determined to bounce back in the 2019 SEA Games that will be held in the Philippines.

"Babawi talaga ako po. Babawi talaga," he said emphatically.

Meanwhile, the other Filipino boxers return to action Tuesday for the semifinals in their respective weight classes.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

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