In the quest for the elusive first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III  yesterday called  for more overseas exposure for Filipino boxers to raise their competitiveness as the country hopes for more qualifiers in the London Games this year.

Pimentel, vice chairman of the Senate committee on youth and sports, picked the boxers as the Philippines' "most realistic and best hope" in its bid to win its first-ever gold medal in the quadrennial games.

"Filipino boxers should fight in top-caliber competitions overseas as part of the Philippines' Olympic preparation if our goal is to win the elusive gold medal,” Pimentel said.

He encouraged the country's top sports leaders to "start talking less and doing more, away from the glare of publicity" by accelerating the athletes' preparations for the London Games.

"Raise the bar of excellence, because the world's athletic standards are constantly getting better," Pimentel said.

The Philippines nearly captured the elusive gold medal through boxers Anthony Villanueva who won featherweight silver medal in the 1964 Tokyo Games and flyweight Manuel "Onyok" Velasco who dropped a heartbreaking loss in the division's gold-medal bout of the 1996 Atlanta Games.

For the upcoming London Games, only light-flyweight Mark Anthony Barriga has qualified after earning slot in the World Championships last year in Azerbaijan.

Also gunning for Olympic slots in the men's side are eight other boxers in five weight categories -- Rey Saludar (flyweight), Charley Suarez (lightweight), Joejin Ladon and Junel Cantancio (bantamweight), Orlando Tacuyan and Dennis Galvan (light-welterweight) and Nathaniel Montealto and Wilfredo Lopez (welterweight).

Campaigning in the women's side are Kate Aparri, Josie Gabucco and Nesthy Petecio (light-flyweight) and Janice Banares and Rica Aquino (lightweight). All boxers are scheduled to leave next month for overseas competitions.

Pimentel, meanwhile, lauded businessman Manny Pangilinan of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company and Smart Communications for taking the lead in extending support to the country's Olympic campaign.

The senator from Mindanao encouraged other sports patrons to help bankroll the financial needs of Filipino athletes in track and field, taekwondo, archery, shooting, swimming and weightlifting, among others.

Pimentel also appealed to officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission to "get their act together for the sake of our athletes" and seek the cooperation of the heads of various national sports associations."

"The sports pages are a testament to bickering and protection of turf. It's time to show strength of character and dignity. Let's be united and become a shinning example of courage and commitment to all," Pimentel said.

The Philippines first entered Olympic competition in 1924 in the Paris Games and has, in 88 years, won two silver and seven bronze medals in 20 Olympic Games.

Filipino boxers have won the most Olympic medals with five, including two silvers of Villanueva and Velasco.*PNA

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