MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Swimming League and Fil-American coaches based in California have launched a program designed to develop young Filipino swimmers for the 2013 Universiade and other international competitions through training in the Philippines and the US.
PSL president Susan Papa said two US-based coaches – Serafin Villarete and Sonya Baltazar – have already prepared the groundwork to kick-start the program by opening training facilities in California for Filipino swimmers pursuing advanced swimming courses.
Villarete is a long-time head coach in Sta. Maria, California while Baltazar, a member of the Papa clan of swimmers and sister of former basketball star and Olympian Adriano Papa Jr., is a former UAAP swimming champion.
Villlarete, 63, taught the latest training techniques and gave tips to swimmers and coaches the last time he visited the Philippines last year.
He was impressed with the performance of young Filipino swimmers but was surprised why these young talents could not be developed further to make them competitive in international competitions.
“I saw the problem – that they simply don’t have the long term development program,” said Villarete, who trained under Don Gambril and Dick Hannula in the US in preparation for his Olympic stint in the 60s.
“Only a grassroots program with the Asian Games gold as its objective can bring Filipino swimmers back to international limelight,” said Villarete, who noted that the Philippines had not produced a medal in the Asian Games since 1986.
Baltazar said the Philippines should think beyond the SEA Games, and look at the Asian Games as the true yardstick of Filipino excellence in sports.
“Let us not aim for the SEA Games. We consider that as an invitational meet, something like the Pesta Sukan during our time. Filipino swimmers dominated that meet easily,” she said.
“Sonya and I want Filipino swimmers to start winning again in the Asian Games. We will put our resources together to support the program,” said Villarete.
Villarete and Baltazar are now training a PSL swimmer and they will be visiting Universiade bet Gian Berino, who is currently training in Los Angeles, California.