After winning the Asian Indoor Games gold medal in Vietnam, boxer Annie Albania is now setting her sight on defending her SEA Games crown in the Laos meet next month.

With her confidence now sky-high, it’s not surprising if she makes it two in a row in the biennial conclave.

Albania admitted the other day that she was pressured at first but after winning her opening match, things suddenly changed.

She then fought like a wounded tiger to win the 51kgs division crown.

“Na-pressure ako kasi grabe ang tiwala sa akin ng mga tao at mga coaches, kaya sinabi ko sa sarili ko na kailangan ko itong ipanalo,” said Albania during the SCOOP sa Kamayan Forum in Padre Faura.

“Malaking tulong yung Asian Indoor kasi first international exposure namin ito ngayong taon. At least nakakapag-adjust na kami in terms sa competition atmosphere,” she added.

Albania was the country’s lone boxing gold medalist in the controversy-marred meet in Thailand two years ago.

Albania, howver, is optimistic that her teammates will deliver this time.

“Basta alagaan lang ang sarili at hindi lang magkumpiyansa sa sarili,” Albania said.

The 27-year-old fighter also said the comments made by Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, during the team’s training in Baguio a few months ago had boosted her confidence.

“Nakatulong din yung mga sinabi ni coach Freddie noong nakita nya kaming nagti-training sa Baguio. Basta hindi lang ako nagkumpiyansa sa sarili ko,” Albania said.

Meanwhile, the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) will give cash incentives to Albania, Mitchel Martinez and Josie Gabuco for their outstanding feats in the Asian Indoor Games.

RP women’s team coach Boy Catolico said the association has promised to give Albania P30,000 for her gold-medal feat, and Martinez and Gabuco P20,000 and P10,000, respectively, for winning bronze medals in the 60kgs silver and 48kgs, respectively.