Filipino boxer Hergie Bacyadan in Paris. IG/@hergiebacyadan

Filipino boxer Hergie Bacyadan was just happy to be alongside his "lodicakes" in the Paris Olympics.

Despite his early exit from the Games, the "overwhelmed" Bacyadan expressed satisfaction as he reflected on his Olympic debut in France on Wednesday (Manila time).

"Sobrang overwhelmed, and happy ako na nandito ako sa Olympics at napabilang ako siyempre sa mga lodicakes ko na Olympian," he told Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN News.

On his first and only match, Bacyadan went on to face top seed China's Li Qian, who was a silver medalist in the 2020 Tokyo Games and bronze finisher in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The veteran boxer proved to be too much for the rookie Bacyadan as he absorbed a loss in the round of 16 of the women's 75kg division at the North Paris Arena -- an abrupt farewell to his Olympic medal dreams.

READ: Paris 2024: Hergie Bacyadan falls to China's Li, ends Paris stint

Despite the defeat, Bacyadan highlighted his courage as he acknowledged the rich experience of Li.

"Sinabi ko talaga kina coach at sa lahat talaga na siguro ang tanging lamang ko do'n, tapang. Siguro kung experience, lugi. Pero 'di tayo papatalo, kumbaga," the Igorot pugilist said.

"'Di natin [sinayang] kumbaga 'yung opportunity na nakalaban ko rin siya, isa sa mga 'lodicakes' ko sa 75kg na middle weight din," he added.

Bacyadan went on to admit that he tried to imitate Li's moves, and it was actually hard to "copy" it in personal.

"Du'n pala talaga [ako] sa punto na, alam mo 'yon, parang kina-copy mo 'yung galaw niya. Hirap ka din siyempre na kopyahin din talaga sa personal. Kumbaga, sa kaniya [ako] kumukuha ng idea at the same time sa mga laban ko rin."

Asked what's next for the Olympian, Bacyadan said that he still doesn't know whether he will continue boxing while stressing that he's loyal to kickboxing and vovinam. -- with a report from Dyan Castillejo, POC Media/ABS-CBN News