TOKYO—Nesthy Petecio booked a quarterfinal slot in the Tokyo Olympics women’s boxing tournament on Monday after edging world No. 1 Lin Yu-ting during their featherweight bout at Kokukigan Arena here.
 
A 3-2 decision that had her sparse cheering section tense for a moment ushered Petecio into the Last 8, and she now just needs one more victory to be assured of a bronze medal. “She stuck to the tactics, without overcommitting,” said coach Don Abnett.
 
Earlier, Carlo Paalam scored a split decision victory over Ireland’s Brendan Irvine to advance to the next round. “Thankful ako kasi nanalo tayo on the first day ng laro ko,” Paalam said.
 
“Medyo dikit man ang laban, at least, binuhos ko kung anong natitira sa pagod ko, binuhos ko na lahat po.”
 
Paalam started hot but needed to survive a rousing fight-back from his Irish foe to secure a spot in the round-of-16.
 
Things also got pretty tight for Petecio after two rounds, but she managed to score crucial points in the third that allowed her to spend the last few moments staying out of trouble.
 
“Sinabi ni coach Boy (Velasco) sa akin na lamang na tayo, ingatan mo yung lamang natin,” said Petecio, who faces Colombia’s Yeni Marcela Arias Castaneda in the quarterfinals.(pr)