Hindi na isinama ng Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) si featherweight Mario Fernandez sa RP Team na sasabak sa huling Olympic qualifying tournament sa Baku, Azerbaijan bunsod ng pagkakaroon ng cataract sa kaliwang mata.

Ayon kay ABAP executive director Ed Picson, mismong si Fernandez ang humiling na huwag na siyang isama sa biyahe para pagtuunan ang operasyon sa mata.

“It was Mario himself who decided he could not concentrate fully with the thought of his eye condition in the back of his mind,” sambit ni Picson.

6 koponan nagbabalak ligwakin ang PVL; lilipat daw sa bagong liga?

“Although it is not life-threatening nor a serious condition, this is boxing and the cause of the condition was trauma so we didn’t want to take the risk. We would rather continue with the tests and treatment the doctors have lined up for him and hopefully he can fully recover and fight another day,” aniya.

Bunsod nito, tanging sina Flyweight Ian Clark Bautista at welterweight Eumir Felix Marcial ang aalis bukas patungong Baku para makibaka sa karagdagang Olympic slot.

Si Fernandez ay bronze medalist sa 2014 Asian Games.

Sa kasalukuyan, tanging sina light flyweight Rogen Ladon at lightweight Charly Suarez ang nakasikwat ng slot sa Rio Games matapos magwagi ng silver medal sa Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament sa nakalipas na buwan sa China.

Kasama si Fernandez sa koponan na lumaban sa China, subalit nabigo siya sa bronze medal round.