New advocacy for MVP?

PLDT chairman and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan hinted the other day that his next advocacy may be to support weight-classified sports where Filipino athletes could be competitive, taking off from Hidilyn Diaz’ success in women’s weightlifting at the Rio Olympics.

Diaz, 25, competed in the 58 kilogram division at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics with no success. Then, she dropped down to the 53 kilogram category, found her niche and bagged the silver in Rio.

Pangilinan said he got consecutive text messages from Media5 president Chot Reyes and Sports5 head Patricia Hizon, who are both in Rio, announcing Diaz’ silver showing at about 4:30 a.m. last Monday. “Joyous news, indeed,” said MVP. “A silver after 20 years. Sent my best wishes to Hidilyn right away. But as I went to work that morning, I thought 20 years are simply too long a medal drought. We have to do better in selecting, preparing and training our athletes. So my joy turned into resolve – inspiration and incentive to do better.”

Pangilinan said Diaz’ performance should trigger a review of how the different NSAs source and train athletes. “We have to look at weightlifting, boxing and other sports associations dealing with weight or other categories,” he continued. “These are where we could be competitive. Perhaps, my next advocacy?”

In the four divisions of women’s weightlifting from 48 to 53 to 58 to 63 kilograms, Asians accounted for all 12 medals in Rio with Thailand claiming two gold and a silver, Chinese-Taipei a gold and a bronze, China a gold, the Philippines and Indonesia a silver each, North Korea a silver and Japan, South Korea and Kazakhstan a bronze each. European, African and American women were shut out of the medal stakes as their physique is more suited for the heavier weight divisions.

In the men’s division, Asians also dominated the medal standings from 56 to 62 to 69 kilograms, claiming seven of nine up for grabs. China led the way with two golds. Indonesia and North Korea took a silver each while Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan settled for a bronze each. Filipino Nestor Colonia competed in the 56 kilogram class but was one of four lifters who failed to finish. Five of his six lifts were invalidated, indicating a lack of experience and composure as it was his Olympic debut.

From weightlifting alone, Indonesia has taken eight Olympic medals (three silver, five bronze) of its total haul of 27 from 1952 to 2012. Thailand has brought in 24 Olympic medals, seven from weightlifting (all from women), including three golds, during the same period.  

“If Thailand and Indonesia can win Olympic medals in weightlifting, so can we,” said Diaz’ coach Dondon Aldanete. “The support of the POC and PSC is critical for our program to succeed. Everything depends on the program which has to be continuous.” Diaz, the country’s first female Olympic medalist, said marketing is key because “we need sponsors to organize competitions and once a year isn’t enough.”

Olympic sports with weight classes for men and women are boxing, judo, taekwondo, weightlifting, rowing and freestyle wrestling. Greco-Roman wrestling has six weight classes but strictly for men. In rowing, the weight limits apply only to lightweight double sculls and coxless fours for men and lightweight double sculls for women. The limits for the men’s lightweight events are a crew average of 70 kilograms (154.3 pounds) with no rower more than 72.5 (159.8 pounds) and for women, a crew average of 57 kilograms (125.6 pounds) with no rower more than 59 (130 pounds).

Pangilinan’s hint, however, won’t mean less support for the country’s No. 1 sport basketball. While Pangilinan has termed out of the SBP presidency, he remains a member of the FIBA Central Board and the new SBP president Al Panlilio is also head of the MVP Sports Foundation. No doubt, Pangilinan’s vision will continue to guide the SBP.

As for boxing, ABAP president Ricky Vargas recently announced plans to hold elections and pave the way for the passing of the leadership torch. Vargas thanked Pangilinan and the entire Filipino nation for the love, support and passion for boxing. ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio and executive director Ed Picson will study the appropriate timing for the polls. “We love ABAP,” he said. “We will continue to support the next batch of leaders. We are simply turning over leadership. We missed out on that elusive Olympic medal but we were successful in other fronts like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and World Championships.”

Gregorio said he expects the elections to be held before the year is over. “Since we’re now in August, maybe a 60 to 90-day preparation is required for a proper turnover,” he said. “We will be looking for the right set of leaders to take over.” Two prominent names were mentioned as possible candidates for ABAP president with Sen. Manny Pacquiao and former Rep. Robbie Puno the top choices. Puno was voted SBP vice chairman last Monday.