LOS ANGELES, California -- Members of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) are coming home as winners and conquering heroes after winning a total of 7 medals in the annual Blue & Gold boxing tournament in Maywood, California.

Five of them bagged first place while 2 nabbed second place last weekend in the boxing competition which is considered one of the largest amateur tournaments in the US.

Brothers Victorio and Ray Saludar, Delfin Boholst, Charley Suarez, and female boxer Josie Gabuco came out as champions in their respective divisions. Ricky Dulay and Gerson Nietes ended up with second place finishes.

Ed Picson, the executive director of ABAP, hopes the wins are signs of things to come for the amateur boxers of team Philippines, as they next prepare for the Asian games in China in November and the London Olympic Games in 2012.

“The ultimate goal is the Olympic gold. We cannot guarantee anything. There are no sure things in boxing. The only thing we can promise is that we'll work real hard," said Picson.

The Philippine team arrived in the US in early August. They first arrived in San Francisco where they trained with world champion Nonito Donaire's strength and conditioning coach. They also had a mini boxing tournament held at the University of San Francisco before flying out to Los Angeles to participate in the Blue and Gold Tournament.

Picson added they not only flew to US to get competitive exposure but also get advice on training for the ABAP coaches.

“We're concentrating on speed and power and accuracy. Those are what the ABAP coaches are drilling into our boxers, and so far we've gotten good results," said Picson.

One of the Philippine amateur boxers who displayed these results is Suarez. The 22-year-old Davao del Norte native defeated 3 opponents to claim the lightweight amateur championship, and was voted as the top boxer in the Blue & Gold tournament that fielded 220 boxers.

Suarez hopes he can end the Philippines' thirst for its first Olympic gold in 2012.

“That's what we're really trying to meet because there's never been a (Philippine) gold in the Olympics. If the lord gives it to me, it's a big deal. If it's not me, hopefully one of my teammates,” Suarez said.

The ABAP team will arrive in Manila on Thursday. Two other female boxers have already left for Barbados where they will be competing in the upcoming women's world championships.