iKalinga boxer Bacyadan settles for bronze in 2025 SEA Games, expresses gratitude amid controversy over alleged unfair decision

Tabuk City, Kalinga – iKalinga boxer Hergie Tao-Wag Bacyadan of Taloctoc, Tanudan found herself at the center of online debate following her 70-kg women’s boxing match against Thailand’s Manikon Baison during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), held from December 9 to 20, 2025, in Thailand. The match result sparked mixed reactions from onlookers, boxing enthusiasts, and especially her fans.

The controversy arose after Bacyadan was awarded a bronze medal—an outcome that even surprised the boxer herself. Many netizens took to social media to express disappointment and question the fairness of the judges’ decision.

Commentators noted that Bacyadan delivered a strong performance in the first round, which many believed should have gone in her favor.

“Gold dapat ’to, nadaya lang eh. Sa susunod, huwag na sa Thailand ang venue kasi gusto lang naman nila na sila palagi ang panalo,” one commenter wrote on the Philippine Sports Commission’s post.

“Paano nanalo yung kalaban niya na puro hug ang ginawa? Congrats, Hergie. Bawi next game,” another expressed.

Even Bacyadan’s wife, Lady, shared her sentiments in a Facebook post on December 10, saying:

“Kung mapapansin niyo naman yung naging laban ni Hergie—first round, napakaganda ng pinakita niya. Second round, nakuha lang ng kalaban dahil nakapagsuntok siya ng isang solid. Pero the rest of the second round, maganda pa rin ang pinakita ni Hergie. Then third round, na-deduct si Hergie dahil sa akap-akap. So weird kasi si Baison din naman umaakap, pero si Hergie lang ang na-deduct. Hindi natin masabi dahil gagawa at gagawa ng paraan—siyempre, homecourt advantage nila ’yun.”

The video of the bout gained over 70,000 views and generated numerous comments from supporters who expressed both disappointment and congratulations for the 31-year-old boxer.

The controversial match

The match, as seen in One Sports’ recorded live broadcast, opened with an intense first round, where Bacyadan quickly showcased her orthodox fighting style, landing a sharp straight punch on Manikon within the first minute.

The orthodox stance—commonly used by right-handed fighters with the left foot forward and right foot back—contrasts with Manikon’s southpaw style. While orthodox fighters often struggle against southpaws due to unfamiliar angles and punch trajectories, Bacyadan managed to counter several inside punches from her opponent.

In the second round, Manikon gained a brief advantage, but the iKalinga boxer remained resilient. During the third round, Bacyadan was controversially deducted a point for clinching, despite her opponent engaging in similar actions.

Bacyadan ultimately settled for the bronze medal for the Philippines. Observers noted that her limited preparation may have affected her bid for gold, as she initially had no plans to join the SEA Games and competed while her wife was in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Despite the controversy surrounding the bout’s outcome, Bacyadan chose to express gratitude, thanking her coaches, support team, family, and supporters for standing by her throughout her SEA Games journey.