(UPDATE) ALL eyes are on the prize as Olympic-bound Filipina boxers Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan and Aira Villegas prepare to make history in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

With five boxers representing the Philippines, including Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam, national head coach Ronald Chavez is confident that his pool of ringsters can take home the medal in the prestigious sporting event in Paris.

"We went through the same process. We trained so hard for this. These five boxers are the strongest. Of all the boxers that I trained for the Olympics, they are the strongest, and I witnessed it. I will not say what color of medal they can bring home, but I know that they are the toughest boxers that will compete and represent the Philippines," Chavez said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum in Manila.

Secretary-General Marcus Manalo was affirmative and emphasized how the five boxers are firm and resilient.

"We are glad to have qualified five boxers since Atlanta 1996. There were also five at that time. I feel like they have a chance to finish the podium and to go all away. We have a good chance to win that gold medal in the Olympics," he said.

"This is a really strong five that we are bringing since the qualification process is difficult already."

Two-time Olympic boxer Petecio shared that the pressure is even greater since she already has experience in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Philippine Olympian Association president Akiko Thompson, along with Wawit Torres, Stephen Fernandez and Kitoy Cruz, welcomes new members of the organization at the College of Saint Benilde on Tuesday, June 11. The new members include Kirstie Elaine Alora (2016 Rio, taekwondo), Percival Alger (1988 Seoul, fencing), Christine Jacob-Sandejas (1984 LA, swimming), Rene Concepcion (1988 Seoul, swimming), Jessie Lacuna (2016 Rio, swimming), Benjamin McMurray (1988 Seoul, judo), and Sam Catantan (2024 Paris, fencing). PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO Philippine Olympian Association president Akiko Thompson, along with Wawit Torres, Stephen Fernandez and Kitoy Cruz, welcomes new members of the organization at the College of Saint Benilde on Tuesday, June 11. The new members include Kirstie Elaine Alora (2016 Rio, taekwondo), Percival Alger (1988 Seoul, fencing), Christine Jacob-Sandejas (1984 LA, swimming), Rene Concepcion (1988 Seoul, swimming), Jessie Lacuna (2016 Rio, swimming), Benjamin McMurray (1988 Seoul, judo), and Sam Catantan (2024 Paris, fencing). PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO Philippine Olympian Association president Akiko Thompson, along with Wawit Torres, Stephen Fernandez and Kitoy Cruz, welcomes new members of the organization at the College of Saint Benilde on Tuesday, June 11. The new members include Kirstie Elaine Alora (2016 Rio, taekwondo), Percival Alger (1988 Seoul, fencing), Christine Jacob-Sandejas (1984 LA, swimming), Rene Concepcion (1988 Seoul, swimming), Jessie Lacuna (2016 Rio, swimming), Benjamin McMurray (1988 Seoul, judo), and Sam Catantan (2024 Paris, fencing). PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO Philippine Olympian Association president Akiko Thompson, along with Wawit Torres, Stephen Fernandez and Kitoy Cruz, welcomes new members of the organization at the College of Saint Benilde on Tuesday, June 11. The new members include Kirstie Elaine Alora (2016 Rio, taekwondo), Percival Alger (1988 Seoul, fencing), Christine Jacob-Sandejas (1984 LA, swimming), Rene Concepcion (1988 Seoul, swimming), Jessie Lacuna (2016 Rio, swimming), Benjamin McMurray (1988 Seoul, judo), and Sam Catantan (2024 Paris, fencing). PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO

Despite the weight on her shoulders, Petecio seeks to accomplish her unfinished business as she guns to take home the gold medal this time.

"I recalled all my 'whys?' Why did I stay? I could stop after the Tokyo games since I already fulfilled my dream to be in the Olympics and live a normal life and not train — but I chose to stay, and I know that I can prove something."

"I posted a photo along with Olympic bound boxers and one comment stood out: 'the reason why they qualified in the Olympics again since you left the gold medal.' that comment really struck me," Petecio recalled with a smile.

The story is different for Villegas, who encountered a lot of doubts before qualifying for the Olympics.

Villegas shared that she is ready to redeem herself.

"Before I even qualified, I struggled a lot and I doubted myself. Then I suffered from an injury, and I backed out of the Southeast Asian Games. I joined a lot of competitions, and now finally I made it to the Olympics, and I fought my way through it." she said.

Bacyadan, the last Filipina boxer who booked an Olympic slot in the 75kg category, was teary in recalling all of her mishaps and hardships.