France's Wassila Lkhadiri (L) fights against Philippines' Aira Villegas in the women's 50kg quarter-final boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena, in Villepinte on August 3, 2024. Mohd Rasfan, AFP

Aira Villegas is already assured of at least a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games women's boxing 50kg division.

The 29-year-old Filipina star successfully did so after she overcame France's Wassila Lkhadiri and the hostile crowd during their early Sunday morning (Manila time) quarterfinal clash.

READ: Villegas assured of medal with hard-earned win over France's Lkhadiri

"Nung third round po, sabi ko mag focus at relax lang kasi nung second round nang gigil ako at nawala ako sa focus," Villegas told ABS-CBN News' Dyan Castillejo moments following her quarterfinals win.

"Sobrang thankful din po ako sa coaches kasi nadagdagan nila yung boost. Sinabi din nila na: 'Papayag ka bang kunin niya 'to sayo?' Sabi ko: 'Hindi, akin 'to. Akin 'to.'" 

"Tapos tiwala lang po ako sa Panginoon, clear punches, wag padadala sa kahit anong mangyari, tapos binigay Niya po ito sa akin. Sobrang buti ng Panginoon po," she continued. 

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) secretary-general Marcus Manalo and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino also hailed Villegas for how she overcame the odds and remained locked in despite the jeering she got from the home crowd. 

"Aira did an excellent job. With a hostile crowd and with the pressure to secure a medal, to put all of those together, grabe yung focus na kinailangan niya. We're really proud of her," said sec-gen Manalo.

"Yun ang focus na kailangan natin. Kahit homecourt, 99% crowd sa kabila, then iilan lang kami. Give up na kami kasi ganoon yung judging eh, pero it's another blessing from God," added Tolentino.

But while Villegas has already brought pride and honor to the country with an assured spot on the podium, she is out to reach for the stars and is hoping for the Philippine national anthem to be played at the end of her event. 

"Happy po, pero kailangan po nating pumasok sa finals kasi yung pangarap ko is yung mapatugtog yung national anthem," she said. 

Sharing this vision of hers is ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas, and that is why he himself expressed to Villegas the importance of remaining grounded regardless of her sure bronze. 

"I think she had a mission. After what happened to Carlo [Paalam], it just made her stronger. And I'm glad," said the TNT Tropang Giga Governor.

"I told her, Aira, nanalo ka ngayon, magpasalamat ka sa Diyos, binigay Niya yan sayo. Siyempre, trabaho mo rin yun, but stay focused. Celebrate now, but tomorrow fight again and you can reach higher levels. This is just bronze, you can reach higher levels. Aim for it," he added.

Villegas will be facing third seed Buse Naz Cakiroglu of Turkey in the semifinals on early Wednesday, August 7, at 4:00 a.m. — With reports from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News/POC Media