MANILA Philippines -- Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam advanced to the 20th Asian Games men's 55kg class gold medal round after earning a close split decision win against Kazakh Makhmud Sabyrkhan in the semfinals at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan Wednesday afternoon. A 2018 Asiad bronze medalist, Paalam secured a silver medal and his highest finish in the continental meet. Paalam faces home bet Rui Yamaguchi in the final.