Full-decked sepak takraw team upbeat

MANILA, Philippines — Sepak takraw’s bid to nail the elusive SEA Games gold medal has got a big boost as the Pinoy bets are set to compete in all six regu and hoops events of the sport which gets going Dec. 1 in Subic.

As host, the Philippines, according to sepak takraw president Karen Caballero, is allowed to see action in all events while the six other competing countries can only field in athletes in three of the eight events, two in the men’s side and one in women’s division.

The Pinoy squads are made of a mix of veteran and youth players, among them Jason Huerta, Reyjay Ortuste, Mark Joseph Gonzales, Josefina Maat, Des Oltor, Ronsted Cabayeron and Sara Catain.

Caballero said the Pinoy takraw players, particularly the world champion team in the 2016 Kings Cup, are eyeing to win two to three gold medals in the men’s hoop doubles and women’s hoop although Thailand remains the team to beat but could only dominate in three of the six events.

Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar are the other top contenders for the gold.

But the host squad is coming into the event ready and confident, coming off a series of overseas stints as part of its SEAG buildup through the Philippine Sports Commission’s support.