PHILIPPINES UPDATED. The first wave of Filipino athletes from wrestling, wushu and sailing
will leave today for the 27th Southeast Asian Games set Dec. 11 to 22
in Burma (Myanmar).
Double gold medalists Margarito Angana Jr. and Jason Balabal, the
country’s flag-bearer during the opening ceremony, are bound for Yangon
where the wrestling competitions will be held beginning Dec. 9. With
them are fellow grapplers Joseph Angana, Alvin Lobrequito, Noel Norada
and Jhonny Morte.
Sanda fighters Daniel Parantac, Jessie Aligaga, Dembert Arcita,
Francisco Solis, Divine Wally and Evita Elise Zamora will proceed to the
SEA Games hub in Naypy-itaw where wushu unfolds on Dec. 6.
Duilian performers John Keithley Chan, Natasha Enriquez, Kariza
Kris Chan and Norlence Catolico will join them along with Chinese
coaches Qinghai Tong, Quan Chan and Ma Qing.
Sailors Richly Magsanay, Ridgely Balladares, Rubin Cruz Jr.,
Alaiza Mae Belmonte, Geylord Coveta and Renz Angelo Amboy will fly to
Singapore at 7:30 tonight for an overnight stay before proceeding to
Yangon the following day.
From
Yangon, they will leave at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 for Pathein, where
sailing is scheduled on Ngwe Saung Beach from Dec. 13 to 20.
“We’ve been preparing for months. Now bring home the gold,” chef
de mission Jeff Tamayo told athletes, coaches and team managers in
yesterday’s final orientation at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Members of men’s and women’s basketball,
boxing, women’s football and canoe kayak are scheduled to leave
tomorrow. Athletes in pencak silat will leave on Thursday while those in
badminton will depart on Friday.
Athletes in billiards, mountain bike, rowing and shooting will leave on Dec. 7.
sports.inquirer.net
