Juico eyes 3 more track bets to Tokyo

MANILA, Philippines — Athletics officials are hoping to send as many as four Filipino qualifiers to the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, pinning their hopes on Fil-American prospects to join pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Philip Juico said they have high expectations that shot putter William Morrison, sprinter Kristina Knott and Rio Olympics hurdler Eric Cray will make the grade, as well.

Juico also tagged pole vaulter Natalie Uy as a legit candidate, although the reigning SEAG champion and record holder has some catching up to do to meet the high qualifying standard.

“We’re looking at William Morrison to qualify in shot put, Kristina Knott in the 200m, and Eric Cray in the 400m hurdles. If we’re lucky, we’ll have EJ plus three others, “ Juico said in Patafa’s recent web presscon.

Morrison, who has a personal best of 20.40m, needs to hit 21.10m while Knott has to improve to 22.80 seconds from her personal best of 23.01. Cray, whose fastest is 48.98, targets 48.90 to get a return trip to the Olympiad.

“Natalie Uy could make it, too. Although she’s No. 3 in Asia, her performance is a bit far from the qualifying standard,” Juico said of Uy, who needs to clear 40 centimeters more to make the 4.70m standard.