Albania, the country’s lone entry in the women’s division, took some time to find her range and when she did, Shekerberkova was reduced to a virtual punching bag.

After scoring only a single point in the first round, Albania, 28, began punishing her younger opponent for the comfortable win.

The former heptathlon athlete being groomed for the 2012 London Olympics is fighting North Korea’s Kim Hye Song for a semifinal spot at presstime.

Of the four surviving Filipino boxers, only Rey Saludar is assured of the bronze medal following his first round knockout of Puran Rai of Nepal late Saturday.

Saludar, who also kayoed Kinley Gyeltshen of Bhutan in the first round Thursday, battles Katsuaki Susa of Japan on Wednesday.

Also advancing to the quarterfinals Saturday were Victorio Saludar and Wilfredo Lopez.

Victorio ousted Zarip Jumayev of Turkmenistan while Lopez manhandled Arshad Hussain of Pakistan, 12-5.

Head coach Patricio Gaspi is happy over the way his boxers are performing.

“Maganda ang kinikilos. Sana palain tayo sa susunod na araw,” said Gaspi.

The Philippines is hoping to duplicate the gold medals won by the now retired Violito Payla and Joan Tipon four years ago in Doha, Qatar.

With four days remaining, the Filipinos are counting on boxing to add to the two golds, two silvers and five bronzes they have won so far.

“I still believe we can still add one or two,” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. who has nothing but praises for the athletes.

“Despite the problems at home, the athletes are performing on sheer guts,” said Cojuangco who watched taekwondo Saturday. “What I noticed was that our athletes seem to lack steam.”

Rey Bancod, Manila Bulletin