Every 'Second' Count for Pinay Bantamweight Nesthy Petecio

Pinay Bantamweight Nesthy Petecio and the rest of the Philippine Women's Boxing Team, undergo solid training in Baguio to secure an impressive finish in the Asian Women's Boxing Championships which will finally open on August 6 in China.

"Ngayong Asian pong ito, sobrang importante po kasi... sabi po ng mga Coaches, sabi po ng officials ng ABAP na, one of the qualifying for Olympics daw po. So sobrang importante po. Pag hindi po kami naka-place dito sa Asian Championships, hindi po kami makakalaro sa World Championship," said the 23-year old Petecio.

Only the top finishers in the Asian slugfest can advance to the World Championships in February next year, as the final qualifying tournament for Rio De Janeiro Olympic Games.

Last month, Petecio grabbed her 3rd silver medal in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore after she bowed to Vietnamese Rival Le Thi Bang. The other SEAG editions of Petecio's runner up finished was on year 2011 and 2013.

Petecio defeated Le Thi Bang in the 2010 President's Cup. With this, Petecio admitted that overconfidence made her suffer in the SEAGAMES, "Nagsobrang confidence lng po ako sa sarili ko. Ah, kasi alam ko pong kaya ko siya kasi po natalo ko na siya dati eh. Nakaka-sparring ko na po siya dati."

In addition, Petecio said that they adapted new game plan and strategies as they prepare for the Asian tournament, "Nandyan naman po sila Coach Roel, Coach Mitchel... para tutukan po kami lagi kung ano pa po yung kulang. Kung paano po mag-adjust tska pati po yung psychology namin, nutrition namin, lahat po. Nandyan po sila sumusuporta samin. Parang nag-focus po sila ngayon sa mental training namin."

In the recent SEAG, Philippine Boxing Team is one of the National Sports that really gave pride and glory to the country as they bring home 5 - gold medals in the June 5 to 16 biennial meet.