Josie Gabuco (left) and Weng Chan Cho of Macau mix it up during their bout in the Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam. Gabuco won, 20-0. (Tony Pionila)

VIETNAM — Pinweight Josie Gabuco mauled Macau's Weng Chan Cho, 20-0, Sunday to reach the semifinals and assure the country of at least a bronze medal in the third Asian Indoor Games at the Bac Nihn Gymnasium in Hanoi.

Gabuco, a 21-year-old boxer from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. arranged a much-awaited bout with four-time world champion ML Mary Kom of India for a spot in the finals.

Mary Kom trounced Ting Lo Yueh of Chinese Taipei, 14-9.

Annie Albania was still fighting Meng Chieh Pin of Chinese Taipei at press time.

Gabuco's victory made up for the Filipinos' lackluster showing in chess and bowling.

In chess, the Philippines finished fifth in the mixed team blitz event, scoring 11 points, six point behind China.

The RP squad bowed to Iran, 1.5-2.5, in the final round and missed the semifinals by a single point.

The silver medal went to Vietnam while Iran and India tied for third with 12 points apiece.

In the semifinals, Vietnam eliminated India while China defeated Iran to arrange a showdown for the gold medal.

Vietnam edged China for the gold.

It was a sorry campaign for the Filipinos who earlier stunned top seed India, 3-1, and third seed Vietnam,
3-1.

Overall, the Filipinos won five against three defeats and a draw.

Grandmaster Joey Antonio was the country's best performer with eight wins and a draw.

In bowling being held at Superbowl center in Ho Chi Minh, Raoul Miranda and Jason Baltasar finished 21st and 23rd position and bowed out of the men's singles race.

Miranda amassed a total of 1,195 pins in six games while Baltasar had 1,170 pins.

Former world champion Biboy Rivera and Chester King have yet to see action.