MANILA, Philippines – Olympians Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez of the Philippines clinched semis berth in the boxing competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games Thursday by outclassing their respective quarterfinal foes at the PICC Forum.

Ladon dispatched Aldoms Sugoro 4-1 in the flyweight division while Suarez beat Min Arkar Paing of Myanmar by majority decision to assure themselves of at least bronze medals.

The Filipinos, however, suffered a casualty in John Marvin, the defending light-heavyweight champion, who lost to Truong Dinh Hoang of Vietnam 2-3.

Ladon and Suarez joined Carlo Paalam and the women’s trio of Josie Gabuco, Irish Magno, and Aira Villegas in the semis, along with AIBA World silver medal winner Eumir Felix Marcial, Ian Clark Bautista, and Riza Pasulit, who all drew byes.

The semifinals were being held Friday at press time.

Having advanced to the finals is AIBA World Women’s champion Nesthy Petecio, who will be up against a Myanmar opponent for the gold in featherweight division. (LO/IAMIGO.CNS)