Jay Baricuatro, Flint Jara keep PH boxing afloat with SEA Games finals push

At a moment when Team Philippines boxing appeared to be reeling, two unlikely standard-bearers stepped forward to steady the campaign.

Jay Baricuatro and Flint Jara delivered the country’s long-awaited breakthrough on Tuesday, punching their way into the finals of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games boxing competition and ensuring at least two silver medals for the delegation at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center.

Baricuatro wasted little time announcing his presence. Competing in the men’s 48kg lightweight division, he needed just one round to overwhelm Timor-Leste’s Antonio de Silva, forcing a referee-stopped contest (RSC) victory that sent him straight into the gold medal bout.

Jara followed with a performance built on control and composure. The bantamweight standout outworked Singapore’s Jin Yang Ang from bell to bell, earning a unanimous 5-0 decision in the men’s 54kg semifinals to book his own place in the final. 

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Jay Baricuatro after advacing to the men’s 48kg finals #SEAGames2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/42zfpfNVLC

— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) December 16, 2025

With their semifinal wins, both boxers are already assured of silver medals — a crucial boost for a Philippine boxing team that had endured a rough start to the tournament.

Their surge came after early eliminations stunned the squad. Multi-time SEA Games gold medalists Nesthy Petecio and Ian Clark Bautista bowed out ahead of schedule, as did another medal hopeful in Hergie Bacyadan, leaving the team searching for momentum.

Baricuatro and Jara now carry that responsibility into the finals, but the road ahead remains steep. Both will face Thai opponents on hostile ground, with the Philippines still seeking its first boxing gold of the Games.

Baricuatro’s final test will come against Thailand’s Thitiwat Phlongaurai, who advanced after defeating Laos’ Khamphouvanh Khamsathone. Jara, meanwhile, will square off with Thanarat Saengphet, the Thai boxer who eliminated Malaysia’s Wahidi Mohamad Rizal in the semifinals.

Earlier in the day, the women’s side also tasted the highs and lows of semifinal boxing. Ofelia Magno settled for bronze after falling to Vietnam’s Ngo Ngoc Linh Chi in the women’s 48kg light flyweight division, while Riza Pasuit also bowed out at the same stage, losing to Thailand’s Tantawa Apisada in the women’s 60kg lightweight class.

For Team Philippines, the medals are not yet gold — but after a series of disappointments, Baricuatro and Jara have at least restored belief. Now, the challenge is clear: turn survival into triumph and give Philippine boxing something more than consolation to celebrate. 

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