Nesthy Petecio takes it one step at a time after win vs French foe: 'Mahirap 'pag diretso, baka matapilok tayo'

Nesthy Petecio won her second match at the 2024 Paris Olympics as she defeated hometown bet Amina Zidani in the women's boxing 57kg event on early Saturday (Philippine time).

However, she is not rushing things and said that she will just take it one step at a time.

"One step at a time pa rin po. Huwag tayo dumiretso sa taas. Mahirap 'pag diretso, baka matapilok tayo. Isa-isa lang po," Petecio told the Philippine Olympic Committee media, including GMA Integrated News' JP Soriano, after the win against Zidani.

(I'll still take it one step at a time. Let's not go straight up. It's hard if you go straight ahead, we might stumble. Just one at a time.)

Petecio's win inched her closer to a guaranteed medal in the Summer Games, but before the Round of 16 fight even started, the Filipino boxer was already aware that it would be a tough fight.

Coming into the match, Petecio knew that she had to be cautious when it comes to facing a hometown bet.

After all, this is not the first time that Petecio fought the host country's bet, just like in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago when she faced Japan's Sena Irie.

"Nung pagpasok, sinisigaw nila France, iniisip ko na Philippines 'yung sinisigaw kaya itinataas ko ang kamay ko, 'Sige, itaas n'yo pa,' 'yun po ang ginagawa ko," Petecio recalled.

(When I entered, they were shouting France, I was thinking they were shouting Philippines instead so I raised my hands and rallied them.)

Despite the local support, Petecio said she and her coach had a game plan and even knew what could be considered as Zidani's weaknesses. 

"Ang unang game plan po namin nina coach, kung maaari hindi ako ma-touch sa first round. Kung maaari, ako ang makakatama. Andun 'yung aggressiveness niya, nakita ko rin gusto niya manalo," Petecio said, adding that she was surprised that the score cards went to Zidani in the first round.

(The game plan was if possible, I would not be touched in the first round. If possible, I would be the one who would land touches. Her aggressiveness was there, I saw it that she wanted to win.)

"Nag-focus ako. Sabi sa akin, 'wag ka umalis, pagsuntok niya, konting lihay lang, balikan mo agad. Akala ko nga mabibilangan siya nung natamaan ng hook kasi natumba siya, naramdaman ko talaga. Nanghina siya sa body shot, tinuloy-tuloy ko talaga kasi alam kong mahina 'yung body shot niya sa sparring pa lang."

"'Pag nagcover na siya, doon na ako bumabanat talaga."

(I really focused. They told me not to go that far and when she punches, just deviate and follow through. I thought they would start counting on her when she was hit by a hook because I felt that she fell. She was weakened by the body shot, that I know even back in sparring. When she covers, that's when I attack.)

Entering the third round, Petecio is still focused with what could happen in the match.

"Kailangan pa rin sa third round na makuha namin pero ingat ako kasi home crowd 'yan. Alam natin 'yan, ilang beses na ako nadali sa host country."

(I still needed to win that third round but I was very careful because it's the home crowd. We all know what happened when I went against a home country's bet.)

In the end, Petecio screamed as the final decision was announced, while Zidani was shocked with what she heard.

Petecio will face China's Zichun Xu in the quarterfinals on Sunday night.

Her message to supporters: "Eyy muna!"

WATCH: Nesthy Petecio expresses her gratitude to the Filipinos who stayed up late to watch her winning match against her French opponent as she advances to the quarterfinals at the #ParisOlympics2024 She also invites fans to "Mag Eyyy muna ????” (Via POC, CignalTV) @gmanews pic.twitter.com/5USqGp0c73

— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) August 2, 2024

—with reports from JP Soriano/JKC, GMA Integrated News