Nesthy Petecio punched her way to millions.
It may not be as much as weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, whose windfall may exceed PhP50 million all told, but the Davao born, Baguio resident stands to receive at least PhP 7.3 million in cash incentives and may exceed that if she gets past an Italian on Saturday.
Petecio unanimously decided Yeni Marcela Arias Castaneda, 5-0, Wednesday to earn her ticket to the final four of women’s featherweight in the Tokyo Olympics at the Kokukigan Stadium.
The win entitled her to PhP2 million under Republic Act 10699 as well as PhP2 million from the MVP Foundation and San Miguel under Ramon S. Ang. Another PhP1 will be coming from Rep. Mikee Romero.
In Baguio, the scrappy 5’2” 2019 Amateur International Boxing Association and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist stands to collect PhP300,000 from the athletes incentive, the highest the city will ever give to a city recognized athlete.
“I will file the necessary resolution commending Petecio. But let’s wait for the Saturday result,” said councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales, chair of the sports and youth committee of the city council.
If she gets past Italian Irma Testa on Saturday’s semifinals, Petecio may receive PhP400,000 and PhP500,000 if she gets a gold.
Petecio may receive a total of PhP17 million for a silver, PhP5 million each from RA 10699, MVP and San Miguel and PhP2 million from Rep. Romero.
Diaz was guaranteed a PhP33 million windfall when she won the 55-kilogram weightlifting gold last Monday and more than PhP20 million more from other entities including house and lot, a condominium and life time free flights from two airlines.
UB president Javier Herminio Bautista congratulated the hotel and restaurant student for her quarterfinals win.
In a message, the UB president said: It is always difficult road to the Olympics for all the athletes, especially for Nesthy this year, but they overcame the obstacles. Nesthy will continue to prove that she belongs among the top names in boxing of University of Baguio Fernando G. Bautista (who) has always been a supporter of Philippine athletes, and he would be so proud that a UB sthlete will win an Olympic medal.”
UB sports director Alan Elegado said that the school gave PhP20,000 to the three UB athletes before they went to the Olympics. Aside from Petecio, the others are Irish Magno and Carlo Paalam. The two have yet to play in the round of 16 after winning their debut games in women’s and men’s flyweight round of 32 last Saturday and Monday, respectively.
He added that the school also gave some amount when the three athletes went to the prequalifiers last year.
Last January 11, the three UB athletes and Aira Villegas received their incentives from the city for their wins in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Petecio and Paalam won gold medals, Magno a silver and Villegas, the women’s bantamweight, had a bronze medal.
It was the last of three groups of releases for Baguio grown and recognized athletes, which Magno’s younger sister and former UB women’s basketball member Cheryl received in behalf of the boxers. Petecio, Paalam and Magno were already at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna for their bubble training or what they call as Calambubble.
