Special report:   2008 Olympic Games　

    MANILA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Filipino lightweight boxer Genebert Basadre advanced into the semifinals of the final Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament in Asian region and only needed one win to secure the country's second boxing berth for Beijing Games, Philippine media reported Friday.

    The 24-year-old barged into the semifinal after a overwhelming 14-0 victory to defeat the inexperienced Afghan boxer Khawaja Muhebshai in the tournament held in Astana of Kazakhstan, which is expected to end this Sunday with 19 Olympic boxing slots up for grab, the Manila Bulletin reported.

    However, the upcoming match for Basadre is not likely to be as easy for he is facing Astana's local hero Merey Akshalov.

    Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines President Manny Lopez admitted the Saturday's match with Akshalov will be Basadre's "toughest test". "He must stay focused and must not let the crowd intimidate him on Saturday," Lopez added.

    The Philippines placed much hope on Basadre to win the country's second boxing Olympic berths as other hopefuls were defeated either by opponents or injuries.

    Home to World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion Manny Paquio, the Filipinos have largely hoped the country's amateur boxers can bring back an Olympic medal in this August's Beijing Olympic Games.

    But light featherweight Harry Tanamor has so far won the Olympic berth by finishing at the second place of the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Chicago.

    Unexpected injuries had kept Asian Games gold medalist Violito Payla at home and another Asian Games gold medalist Joan Tipon bowed out in Kazakhstan tournament after suffering this week a humiliating defeat to Uzbekistan boxer H. Todjivayev.

    Three out of the five Filipino boxing squad sent to Kazakhstan are still fighting to defend the country' boxing legacy. But it seems that they are already fighting a losing battle.