Paalam punched his ticket to the men’s flyweight finals with a 5-0 unanimous decision against Japanese foe during the semifinal round at the Kokugikan arena.

“Idinaan ko sa bilis at ginawa ko kung ano talaga ‘yung laro ko,” Paalam said.

“That’s my game, using my smarts and moving a lot. Brains and faith in myself.”

The 23-year-old Paalam is the fourth in line in Philippine history to reach the Olympic finals after Anthony Villanueva, Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, and silver medalist Nesthy Petecio.

Now Paalam is already set to bring another medal to the country again but will try his best to conquer Galal Yafai of Great Britain on August 7. 

“I’ll do my best [in the final],” he said.

“Hinihiling ko po ngayon sa mga kapwa ko Filipino na ipagdasal ako. Gagawin ko ang best ko, kasi hindi ko naman hawak ‘yung desisyon, tsaka ‘yung kalaban ko magaling din. Tiwala lang sa sarili. At sana ibigay sa atin ng Panginoon.”