IDBF World Cup: Philippine Cobra team ready for battle

WUJIN, Changzhou City – Emerging out of the competition venue after a test run on a rainy Thursday morning, the Cobra-Philippine Dragon Boat Federation paddlers feel good ahead of the second IDBF World Cup.

“Mentally at physically prepared ang team natin (The team is prepared both mentally and physically),” said women’s team coach Ailene Padrones after practice session at Wujin Taihu Bay National Dragon Boat Competition Base here.

A few adjustments in stroking on the heavy brackish water of the lake and the Pinoy paddlers should be good to go for the races firing off today.
“Mabigat ang hatak dito kaya adjust tayo sa load, stroke na may power ang kailangan (the waters are heavy so we need to put full load in our strokes),” said men’s coach Ambrosio Gontiñas Jr.
Although they spent training back home on saltwater, the Pinoy paddlers have already raced on fresh water before.
“Palagi naman tayong nakaka-experience din sa ganyan (we have experience paddling on fresh water before),” said Gontiñas.

The cool weather in this hilly resort – ranging from 18 to 21 degrees – should be factored in, too.
“Kailangang makapag warm-up nang maigi para uminit agad ang katawan (We need good warm-up to take care of the cold),” said Padrones.
The Cobra-PDBF Elite, who had one full week together as most members competed in the AFP-PNP-PCG Olympics, seeks to surpass their showing in the inaugural World Cup in 2014.

With a two-gold, two-silver, one-bronze output, Phl finished second overall behind China 3-1-1. Half of the 2014 crew is back for this campaign. They also vie in the 1,000m circuit and 400m team relay events here.
The Filipinos target back-to-back crowns in standard boat mixed 100-m and 500-m events and the crown in 200m which eluded them last time.

“Pipilitin namin madefend yung 100 at 500 at makuha yung 200),” said Padrones.
Phl braces for tough competition against China, which fields two squads, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Australia, Hong Kong and Macau.

“Everybody’s strong and determined to win for their country. Mahirap pero alam naman natin ang pusong Pilipino, talagang laban nang laban (It’s tough but the Filipino’s heart and fighting spirit can always be counted upon,” said PDBF president Marcia Cristobal.