By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense boxer Ian Clark Bautista saw his medal campaign halted after dropping a unanimous 5-0 decision to Thailand’s Sarawut Sukthet in the men’s 57-kilogram quarterfinals of the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The defeat ended Bautista’s bid to add to his previous SEA Games golds from 2015 (flyweight), 2021 (bantamweight) and 2023 (featherweight).

Despite the setback, the 17-year national team veteran shared an emotional message of gratitude for his long boxing journey.

“Thank you so much, Lord God, for my sixth SEA Games. You never abandoned me. I have nothing more to ask for. All I can say is thank you, Lord God, for my 17 years with the Philippine boxing team,” he said in his post.

The result stirred reactions from Filipino fans watching the bout, with many insisting Bautista connected with more clean punches while the Thai boxer frequently resorted to clinching.

Still, all five judges scored the match for Sukthet.

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino has repeatedly reminded national boxers not to leave fights too close, warning that tight bouts — especially against hometown fighters — often end up in the judges’ hands.

Bautista’s early exit marked a setback for the Philippine boxing team as it continued its campaign in Bangkok./ASC, WDJ