Gets extra boost with parents arrival Alora wages last Philippines medal bid

RIO JANEIRO – Confidence continued to build up within the Philippine camp as the country’s last medal hope, Kirstie Elaine Alora of taekwondo, moved closer to her opening match against a Mexican who won the gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Alora’s parents, Lito and Marilou, arrived from their base in Alaska Thursday morning while her sister, Kathlyn, was scheduled to arrive from Manila in the evening.

The taekwondo athlete was delighted with the arrival of her family here.

“Of course,” she said.

“I’m very happy to see them. It adds to my motivation,” Alora said after showing off her living quarters inside the massive Athletes Village to her parents.

She had to take her parents out for lunch because what was inside the Philippine quarters when they arrived were food from McDonald’s.

With the arrival of Kathlyn, it will be a mini-reunion for the Aloras far away from home.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco, who often hangs out with the athletes and officials staying at the Athletes Village, joined Alora’s well-wishers.

It was two days before the 26-year-old Filipina makes her Olympic debut at the Olympic Park.

“Mananalo yan (She will win),” said Cojuangco.

Alora faces tall odds against Espinoza, 28, who also won the bronze medals in the 2012 London Olympics. If she gets past the Mexican, she boosts her chances of landing a medal and giving the Philippines its best finish in the Olympics.

Any more medal here in Rio and the Philippines will surpass its best haul of three bronze medals in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.

The graduate of De La Salle University has trained long and hard for this, and she has shown confidence that just rubs off to the remaining members of the Philippine delegation here.

Alora is the only Filipino athlete left in Rio.

The 12 others have left, leaving Alora with sports officials, including chef-de-mission Jose Romasanta and POC officials Steve Hontiveros, Julian Camacho and Benjamin Espiritu, and International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski.

“I’m confident that Elaine can win a medal here,” said the POC president, himself unfazed by the Mexican’s stronger credentials.

“As long as Elaine gives her best, then she has a chance,” said Cojuangco ahead of Saturday’s action in the women’s +67 kg class at the Carioca 3 of the Olympic Park.

“We have high hopes for Elaine. She did well preparing for this Olympics. She arrived here earlier than needed and she has fully acclimatized,” said Romasanta.

“She has a very nice attitude and she’s well-motivated and very relaxed. That’s important. We are looking forward to a very competitive Alora,” said the chef-de-mission.

Alora’s coach, former SEA Games finweight king Roberto “Kitoy” Cruz, is just as confident.

The arrival of Alora’s family members is a boost for Alora’s morale, saying for a young athlete who’s been away from home for nearly a month now, their presence is needed.

“It’s a morale booster. Of course, she’s homesick. We’ve been here for almost a month now,” said Romasanta.

Against the Mexican warrior, Alora remains confident.

“Elaine is very confident she will be able to solve the fighting style of the Mexican. Anything can happen in taekwondo,” said Romasanta.

Everybody has his fingers crossed here.