SUBIC, Philippines — With an expected wild homecrowd behind, the Philippine sepak takraw team is ready to roll and spike today when it kicks off its gold medal campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Subic Gymnasium.
After finishing in fifth place two years ago in Kuala Lumpur with two silvers and a bronze, the Nationals shoot for the overall championship starting at 9 a.m with the men’s hoop event.
Hopes are high on the Filipinos to deliver the country’s first-ever gold medal in sepak takraw especially with the largest delegation among the nine participating countries including Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore and Vietnam together with 2017 podium finishers Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia.
As host, the Philippines has the right to field teams in all six sepak takraw events while the visitors can only field entries in three events.
More than that, the Phl bets, who ruled the 2016 Kings Cup, are banking on a long SEA Games build-up highlighted by international training and competitions in Australia, South Korea and Thailand.
Jason Huerte, Reyjay Ortuste and Ronsted Cabayeron together with Mary Ann Lopez, Jean Marie Sucalit and Lheill Lhaina Mangubat have been tasked to lead the country’s bid.