GUANGZHOU — Three of six. Not bad for a team that carries a heavy load in the 16th Asian Games.

Much maligned after qualifying only one boxer in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) delivered three medals at the close of the boxing competition Friday.

Rey Saludar won the gold, Annie Albania the silver and Victorio Saludar the bronze.

They were members of the small six-man squad sent by ABAP after careful deliberation by the coaching staff led by Pat Gaspi.

Not a few eyebrows were raised when the new ABAP leadership retained the old coaching staff and went against popular notion that foreign coaching is needed to produce quality boxers.

“Our coaches are good if not better than their foreign counterparts,” ABAP executive director Ed Picson said. “They know their boxers, having been around for some time now. More than technical know-how, a good coach must know how to communicate with his boxer.”

That’s why coaches were disappointed when Charly Suarez lost in his first bout, dehydrated over the “secret training” he went through under their very noses.

When Suarez tipped the scales half a kilo lighter than the limit, the coaches smelled trouble.

“His coaches knew he’s still above the limit, but it was manageable. A night’s sleep brings the weight down. The extra poundage could be shed the next morning just before the weigh-in,” Picson said.

Despite the early hiccup, the team went on to send three fighters into the semifinals with Rey Saludar and Albania eventually reaching the finals.

Wilfredo Lopez and Delfin Boholtz failed to get past the quarterfinals.

Although officiating left much to be desired against Chinese rivals – many thought Albania should have won, the Filipino camp accepted the defeat graciously.

After their controversial “boycott” of the boxing finals during the 2007 Southeast Asian Games, the new ABAP leadership had taken steps to mend relations with the AIBA, the world governing body for the sport.

The fresh start enabled the new leadership to map out its new program designed to win an Olympic gold in London in 2012.

“It’s a young team and first timers in the Asian Games. We are proud of our boxers and our all-Filipino coaching staff,” said ABAP president Ricky Vargas who watched the finals with boxing patron Manny V. Pangilinan. “Our sight is on our long-term goal. And our battlecry is: Suntok Ginto sa Olympics.”

For winning the gold medal, Rey Saludar will receive P3 million as promised by Pangilinan.

Still a bachelor, Saludar said he will use his reward to buy a house in his hometown in Polomonok, South Cotabato. His brother Victorio, a bronze medallist, will get P500,000.

Albania will have to console herself with P1 million for the silver as she prepares her bid for the the London Olympics.

Rey Bancod, Manila Bulletin